February  2000

To Jim, Ray, Weyman, Nathan, Bill, Jim (My Son), This is Letter #5

My Dear Brother Jim;

Brother Jim, in letter #4, I wrote to you from 1 Cor.1:10-12, Paul does continue on this same subject in 1 Cor. 3:1-23, which I would like to cover now: And I, brethren, could not speak unto you (trying to reach into their spirit of each and everyone of them) as unto spiritual (one that is spiritual minded, one that has an understanding spirit, or one who’s spirit is matured in the things of the Lord.), but as unto carnal (their thought’s are on themselves and not on the things of the Lord), even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet are ye able. For are ye not carnal (worldly, their minds set on worldly things): for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal (Worldly), and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered (both worker’s together with the Lord, not one above the other in leadership): but God gave the increase (letting it be known that it is the power of God and not of man that there is any growth among the Saints). So then neither is he that planted any thing (not thinking of himself highly, or that he is above any of them, but letting them know, that they are the ones to whom God is wanting to reach), neither he that watereth (he too, isn’t anything, they are vessels that God is using to help them); but God that giveth the increase. (Paul is trying to give them spiritual understanding, to awaking them to Spiritual doctrine.)

(Were they not as children with their carnal minded attitude? Envying, not willing to get along with each other? Strife, arguing among themselves? Divisions, choosing for themselves which man is the greatest of the three, that they should rise up (as God) before them to follow, or lead them? And were they not walking as men and not as saints of the Lord? Why couldn’t those in leadership today do the same as Paul did back there? To let Saints know very simple if they were carnal minded and walking as men? Could it be that an attitude problem enter into the situation on both sides and could not be resolved, and ended up with marking and avoiding of Saints?)

(Brother Jim, in your letters. you are not being fair with me, you are not telling me the real problem, I do not see the root cause! I do see the symptoms, which you have given. But I do believe you are running me around in circles, with all your anger and your being upset with believers. Please give me the root cause for all the markings, and quite beating the bushes. Tell me what caused all these Saints to be dissatisfied with what was going on around them. As Christians (all believers) we are to be openly honest with one another and I am sorry to say, you are not being honest with me. And don’t you tell me that I am being carnally, worldly minded. I do know that a soft answer will turn away anger. And where the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of the Lord is, there is liberty (freedom to speak, to express one’s self, and freedom to disagree) and I will add, for both sides, it will not be just a one sided affair. Also where two or three Saints gather in the name of the Lord (to discuss any problem), that our Lord is present. This should sober up any meeting very quickly.. And if it does not, the meeting should be stopped , this type of meeting is not honoring to our Lord.)

1 Cor. 3:1-23 cont. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: And every man shall receive his own reward (singular) according to his labour. For we (Paul, Apollos, Cephas) are labourers together with God: ye (all believers) are God’s husbandry, ye (all believers) are God’s building. According to the grace (undeserved goodness) of God which is given (not taken) unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation (Jesus Christ), and another buildeth thereon (Jesus Christ). But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon (Jesus Christ). For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

(As a Christian when ever I have talked to someone who does not know the Lord Jesus Christ, I will always start with our Heavenly Father and then bring in His Son Jesus Christ. I have always felt that this is the foundation (Jesus Christ) in which to bring the gospel to the unsaved world. The other is to remember that our whole Christian life is to be built on the foundation of our Lord Jesus Christ. What can we do by ourselves, without the Lord in our lives? Can any of us Christians live spiritually, one day without the Lord?)

1 Cor. 3:1-23 cont. Now if any man build upon this foundation (Jesus Christ) gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work (notice singular work not works, everything he has done, or not done in the name of the Lord, one big package) shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work (singular)`of what sort it is. If any man’s work (singular) abide which he hath build thereupon (Jesus Christ), he shall receive a reward (notice again, reward not rewards). If any man’s work (singular) shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

1 Cor. 3:1-23 cont. Know ye (to every believer) not that ye (all believers together) are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God delleth in you (each believer)? If any man defile the temple (which consist of all believers) of God, him shall God destroy. For the temple (consisting of all believers) of God is holy, which temple ye (all believers) are. (I would like to say here, to please notice that Paul is giving to all believers two lessons: (1) The temple of God, is where God dwells WITH all His Saints. And that temple today IS all believers the world over. (2) The temple of your body, is where the Holy Spirit dwells IN each and every Saint the world over ( 1Cor.6:19 What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is IN you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?) There is a vase difference between the Temple of God and the Temple of your Body.

(Does not this give you some idea, brother Jim, of how precious to God are all of His believers? Just as the Lord marked Cain, that no one should take his life, so is God saying to anyone, don’t defile my body of believers, I will destroy you. I have tried to tell you in letters I have written to you, that true believers are not just people that you can play around with, and do what ever you jolly-well please with. God does hold every one of us, who are spiritual minded, accountable for what we do with the members of the body of Christ. How we treat them! How we love them! How we mark them! How we forsake them! And above al: "What we teach them!" They are the Lord’s and He is theirs.)

1 Cor. 3:1-23 cont. Let no man deceive himself. If any among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool (I have heard preachers in denominations say: " I would rather be the ass (fool) that my Lord rides upon, than a foolish-wise man any day"), that he may be wise. For wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours (to all believers); Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours (to all believers); And ye (all believers) are Christ’s and Christ is God’s.

Brother Jim, doesn’t this boggle your mind? Paul, Apollos, Cephas, the world, life, death, things present, things to come, all areours! Paul is telling these Christians to open up the mind of their spiritual understanding; "WE BELONG TO EACH OTHER, our Lord has given us everything to live our Christian life with. VICTORY, IS EVERY CHRISTIANS, "victory over the world, over life, over death, over things present, over things to come", ALL THIS IS OURS!

Brother Jim, don’t you understand? YOU BELONG TO ME! AND I BELONG TO YOU! ALL CHRISTIANS BELONG TO EACH OTHER! You once made the comment; "That you would not have had us as your friends, but we are." That statement touched my heart and my Christian Love went out to you. Brother Jim, that is what this is all about. I never asked the Lord Jesus Christ to die for my sins, but he did. I have never asked the Lord for certain Christian friends, that I can only get along with. I need those that don’t agree with me, to help me live a healthy Christian Life. The Lord has given to every Christian, friends that are needed for them, to live their Christian life. We help each other. And I can not, and should not, and will not live my Christian Life without them, for my Lord has given them to me and they are mine, we are family! No man has the right to take them from me. We belong to the brotherhood of all Saints and I do not want to ever forget this!

Paul does continue in chapter 4: 1-21 as follows: Let a man so account of us, as of the Ministers of Christ, and Stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in Stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of, Man’s Judgment: Yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself (Even Paul says that he has received nothing by himself), yet am I hereby justified: But he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (Paul has put his whole life and the outcome of his life in the hands of the Lord, because it is not man’s judgment that counts, but the Lord’s judgment. The Lord will reveal all things in his time.)

It is very easy to see with our eyes, IF man’s judgment IS NOT the Lord’s judgment. "That one’s, Christian life will go down hill and they will loose interest in the things of the Lord, they will turn to worldly things, and what they do will be of the flesh.

If a man’s judgment, IS the Lord’s judgment, that Christians life will continue to go on being a blessing to the Lord, to His Saints, and to all those that are around them in the world, you will continue to see joy and peace in their life.

1 Cor. 4:1-21 cont. And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes, that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou, that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? (So along with being carnal, envying, strife, divisions, walking as men, comes along that they were puffed up, one against each other. I would say that this is not a very pretty picture that Paul is giving us...)

1 Cor. 4:1-21 cont. Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. (You will have to also put into this picture, the three words of; "full, rich, reigned," along with carnal, envying, strife, divisions, walking as men, and puffed up. These three words take us into another area of their spiritual carnality, the other five words are in the area of their physical attitude.) For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we (I do believe all the WE’S from now on in this chapter, refer only to the apostles) are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We (apostles) are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we (apostles) are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we (apostles) are despised. Even unto this present hour we (apostles) both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; And labour working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: We are made as filth of the world, and are the off-scouring of all things unto this day. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

1 Cor. 4: 1-21 cont. For though ye (all of the believers) have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers; for I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beech you (I would like to add here, with his fathers heart) be ye followers of me. (Brother Jim, you said that there was a war going on with these wayward Saints, was it anything like what was going on in the life of Paul, Apollos, or Cephas at that time?)

Remember I wrote about the Large "S" and the small "s"? Let’s go into Romans the eight chapter, there are a few things in here I would like to review with you. But before I do. I made this statement in letter #4: "That the spiritual walk of all Christian is to allow the Holy Spirit to work in their lives." The word spiritual has a lot of meaning given to it! It has to do with man’s (all believers) spirit, interacting with the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit.

  • The spiritual growth or knowledge given to man’s (believers) spirit
  • The spiritual renewing (changing of the believers thinking) of man’s mind
  • The spiritual communication with God
  • The spiritual conviction of sin
  • The spiritual knowledge that their sins are forgiven
  • The spiritual peace that a believer has with God
  • The spiritual witness of the Holy Spirit within
  • The spiritual understanding that, their Lord will never leave them or forsake them
  • That they will be raised from the dead, because of our Lord being the first born from the grave, and that we have His seed within us.
  • That they will be in heaven with their Lord, because of our Lords prayer
  • That they can with the help of the Holy Spirit reach other men’s spirit to give them the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

These are just a few things the word spiritual has to do with/in the believers life. So let me ask you: "Are not "All Christian a kind of first fruit of his creation?" I should not say a kind we are the fruit of Him that has made us whole and accepted in the Beloved. Just remember, each believer is our Lords own creation, that is why we have to be very careful of what we accuse them of!

The following is Paul’s teaching on the DOCTRINE of the Holy Spirit in a Believers life

Remember in Romans 8: 1 -17, 23, 26&27 you will find the large "S" and the small "s" the large "S" is the Holy Spirit and the small "s" is the spirit of man. I do understand there are only two men that our Heaven Father sees from heaven. The one is; Adam’s family, from whom we all have been fleshly born into. And the other is; the family of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom we are Spiritual born into, by the power of God, and given to our Lord as His inheritance.

So let’s get into Romans 8:1 –17. There is therefore, now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who WALK not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Holy Spirit). (All Christians are given this freedom to WALK after the Spirit (Holy Spirit) and are to allow the Spirit of God to teach them, lead them, guide them, direct them, correct them, rebuke them, and to bless them. And I believe with all my heart, seen with my eyes, heard with my ears, with my own understand this freedom that our Lord has given to all Believers through his Holy Spirit.)

Romans 8:1-17 cont. For the law of the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of life in Christ Jesus hath made me (all Believers) free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh (because of our sinful flesh), God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us (all Believers), who WALK not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Holy Spirit). (This is why our minds have to be renewed, our minds have to be changed to allow the Holy Spirit to enter into our daily thoughts, so that we don’t always think of worldly things. It is not wrong to think of worldly things, just don’t let them be number one in your Christian lives. We are in the world, but we are not part of this world. When our minds are steadfast on the Lord, our walk in this world changes. And we allow the things of the Lord to be ever before us in our minds.)

Romans 8:1-17 cont. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit (Holy Spirit) the things of the Spirit (Holy Spirit)

Romans 8:1-17 cont. For to be carnally (fleshly) minded is death, but to be spiritually (allowing the Holy Spirit to have his way in our life) minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity (at war ) against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God (This is why we are to set our affections, dedications, on things of the Lord and not on things of this earth.)

Romans 8:1-17 cont. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit (Holy Spirit), if so be that the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; But the Spirit (Holy Spirit) is life because of righteousness. ("Did you notice all three working in a Christians life, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, and the Spirit of Christ?")

Romans 8:1-17 cont. But if the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken (bring to life) your mortal bodies by His Spirit (Holy Spirit) that dwelleth in you..

Romans 8:1-17 cont. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit (Holy Spirit) do mortify (put to death, keep your bodies under, don’t let the flesh rule in your life) the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of God, they are the sons of God.

Romans 8:1-17 cont. For ye have not received the spirit (should be large "S" for Holy Spirit) of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father (Our Father, we can CLAIM Him as Our Father, because He is now Our Father). The Spirit (Holy Spirit) Itself beareth witness with our spirit (the believers), that we are children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. (Brother Jim, doesn’t this bring joy of tears and happiness into your Christian life? I know it does mine!)

Romans 8:23 - 28, And not only they (the whole creation groaneth), but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit (Holy Spirit), even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our bodies. For we are saved by hope; But hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit (Holy Spirit) also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit (Holy Spirit) itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which can not be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit (Holy Spirit), because He maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God. And we know all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his propose...(Brother Jim, do you now see why the Holy Spirit is to be number one in every believers life?)

Brother Jim, in my fourth letter I said; "That if you have marked any Saint, for markings that are not mentioned in the Bible, they are the ones that have been marked in error." I do not like to do this, but you leave me no choice, so I wlll list all the Saints that should be marked for you: I do not believe our Lord has not given any of us a blank check when it comes to markings (to point out to the believer and other believers, what a Saint is doing that is not Christ honoring in their Christian life.)

1 Cor 5:9-13, the MARKING of a brother IF HE BE a Fornicator, Covetous, Idolater, Railer, Drunkard, Extortioner.

  • Not to keep company with a brother if he be: 1-A Fornicator, 2- Covetous, 3-An Idolater, 4-A Railer, 5-A Drunkard 6-An Extortioner.
  • Not to eat with a brother if he be: I- A fornicator, 2- Covetous, 3-An Idolator, 4-A Railer, 5- A Drunkard, 6- An Extortioner.
  • Put that person away from among yourselves that wicked person: 1-A Fornicator, 2-Covetous person, 3- An Idolater, 4-A Railer, 5-A Drunkard, 6-An Extortioner.

Eph. 5:1-16, the MARKING of a brother IF HE BE a Fornicator, Unclean person, Covetous person, a Whoremonger, an Idolater, along with Filthiness, Foolish talking, Jesting.

  • Be not ye partakers with them, -----reprove them: 1-Fornication, 2-All Uncleanness, 3- Covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becoming saints:
  • Neither: 1-Filthiness, nor 2-Foolish Talking, nor 3-Jesting; which is not convenient: but giving of thanks.
  • For this ye know, that no 1-Whoremonger, nor 2-Unclean person, nor 3-Covetous man, who is an Idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God
  • Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience
  • Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them

Phil. 3: 16-21, the MARKING of those (if he be a brother?) that are the Enemies of Christ, their end is Destruction, their God is their bellies, that glory in their own Shame, their thoughts are only on Earthy things. (Does this person sound to you like a believer in Christ? Yes they very well could be!)

  • Mark Them: which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
  • For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping that: 1- They are enemies of Christ, 2- Whose end is destruction, 3- Whose God is their belly, 4-Whose glory is in their shame, 5-Who mind earthy things.

Who are these people that Paul is talking about here? These are strong words which can not be pushed aside. If this is a brother in Christ, and he continue in his fleshly walk, he shall suffer than, the destruction of the flesh, but he shall be saved. But he should be marked.

Before Paul gave us verse 3:16 - 21, he was trying to give us verses 13 through 15, which reads as follows: Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect (spiritual minded) be thus minded, and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you (you talk about a beautiful attitude, even if we are not all of the same mind, lets move on, God will reveal everything to us.) Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

  • I count not myself to have apprehended
  • Forgetting those things which are behind
  • Reaching forth unto things which are before
  • I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ
  • Then Paul thinks out loud, perfect minded, thus minded, otherwise minded,
  • It doesn’t matter what mind you are in, God shall reveal even this unto you
  • What we have already attained (wisdom, knowledge, understanding of the things we have already received of God)
  • Lets walk by the same rule
  • Lets mind the same thing

I do believe in Romans 16: 17 & 18 we find the answer, we are looking for.)

Romans 16:17 & 18, the MARKING of a brother (if he be a brother?) that does not serve our Lord, they serve their own belly, that have good words, that have fair speeches, they deceive the hearts of the simple.

  • Mark Them: which cause 1- divisions (separation) and 2-offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
  • They that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but 1- their own belly; and by 2-good words, and 3-fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

The proof of those that should be marked is found in this statement; "Offenses contrary to the doctrine ye have learned."

  • They do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ (Their doctrine is not the Lords)
  • There God is their belly (They are their own God, what is only good for them)
  • They have good words (They have the right words for those that have not studied)
  • They have fair speeches (They have just enough truth, not all bad in their speeches)
  • They are able to deceive the hearts of the simple (They are able to change the hearts of those that are not grounded in the word of God. That have put their faith in man, instead of on and in the Lord Jesus Christ)

All of the above, does cause a division (separation) in the walk among an assembly of Saints. All this is contrary to the sound doctrine which Paul teaches. These people that do these things want to separate believers for themselves, they should be marked and avoided. Now you tell me, who these people are? They sound like wolves in sheep’s clothing. You tell me, if this is not what these two verses teach?

What is so wrong about divisions (separations) among Believers, is that our Heavenly Father Has Answered our Lords prayer, all Christians the world over are One, both in Spirit and in Body. All Christian are in One Body and in One Spirit the world over. The Lord has given this One Body Unity to all believers, both One Bodily and One Spirit Our Heavenly Father has made it so that there are no Body or Spirit Divisions (separations) among His Believers, He has fitly joined all Believers together as One. There is no way that man can divide (separate) the body or Spirit of Christ. The DIVISION (separation) that is spoken of here can only come in OUR WALK with each other. That is why Paul is in tears when Believers do not WALK together and are not of the SAME mind. That is why Paul uses such strong language when there are divisions (separations) both in walk or mind. All Christians the world over are One in Body and in Spirit. God is the only one that makes the different divisions (functions) in the body as it pleases him, make no mistake about this! This is why, when WE as Christians do not walk together, this is a sin against the Lord’s Church (Body of Believers) and His Spirit (Holy Spirit), again, make no mistake about this!

When I was in denominations I was told that The Body of Christ was only Spiritual, (Invisible), that I could not see it with my eyes. That was why we Christians needed a church home to worship God, this beautiful building is God’s home (false teachings).

I wanted to worship my Lord in a church (a group of believers) that I thought was nearest to the One True Church. But I never found it among all the so called Christian Churches, so I believed that there was no Physical Church on this earth, that the Lord’s Church was only Spiritual (Invisible).

When I was told that there were Christians meeting only in the name of our Lord, I could not believe this. I truly believed this was a start of another Sect, so I went to prove them to be faults. What I found was, that I was wrong and that there were Christians meeting only in the name of our Lord. And that they did not want a name put over them to be recognized by the world. The name of the Lord Jesus Christ was enough for them. I found out from them, that is the name of the Body of Believers the world over.

I was able to see with my own eyes, that what I had heard was true, these were Christians meeting only in the name of our Lord. The other things I seen among these Christian was their strong love they had for each other. I could not believe this love, and that they also had a strong trust in each other. After meetings were over, they didn’t leave and go to their homes, they waited around to talk to each other and there was joy in their talking with each other. I heard laughter, advice being given, question being answered, troubles being enter into by others, arms around one another, embracing each other, I had never seen this in man made churches. I thought that this can’t be true, this is all a put on, just for a show, but it was for real. This is what Paul was talking about, believers coming together with each other, for each other, sharing their lives with each other. I do hope I haven’t bored you with all this.

2 Thes.3:6-16 the MARKING of a brother who will not work and is a busybody.

  • withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly
  • and not after the tradition he has received of us
  • we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat
  • we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work and eat their own bread
  • if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note (mark) that man
  • have no company with him
  • that he might be ashamed
  • count him not as an enemy
  • admonish him as a brother

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. (What I have given you here, is what Paul has written in his epistle, all of it. I have not left anything on this subject out. Take Paul’s whole epistle and read it for yourself, I am not a deceiver!)

1 Tim. 6:1-6, we ("Christians") ARE to withdraw ourselves from a brother (one that could be in leadership) that does not (1) teach, (2) exhort, and (3) consent to wholesome words;

  • even to the word of our Lord Jesus Christ
  • to the doctrine which is according to godliness
  • this person is proud, knowing nothing
  • doting about questions and strifes of words
  • whereof comes forth envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings
  • perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds
  • supposing that gain is godliness
  • from such withdraw thyself
  • "But godliness with contentment is great gain."

2 Tim. 3:1-5, if a brother (one that could be in leadership) be any of the following, we ("Christians") ARE told; from such turn away:

  • from men that are lovers of their own selves
  • that are covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers,
  • that are disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
  • that are without natural affection, truce breakers,
  • that are false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
  • that are traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God
  • they have the form of God, but deny the power of God
  • this sort are they which creep into houses
  • they lead captive silly women laden with sins
  • they are led away with divers lusts
  • they are ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth

Brother Jim, I have given to you which brethren are to be Marked and what they are to be marked for. Who are to be put away from among the believers, who we are not to eat with, who we are not to be partakers with, who we are to be reproved, who we are to withdraw from, who we are to turn away from.

I want to close with what brother Ed. Stevens wrote in one of his tracts. This is his opening paragraph in his tract "Gullibility in Religion:’

One is gullible when he takes things for granted, gulping it down without personal investigation. This is most prevalent in the religious realm, which is tragic because here one’s eternal destiny is involved. Is the Bible understandable to all? It is a common mistake to think that only the "clergy" can understand it. Psalm 25:9, & 14 informs us: "The meek will He guide in judgment, and the meek will He teach His way. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant." The Bereans searched the Scriptures daily whether those things (which they were taught) were so." We read in Acts 17:11. "The simple (the gullible) believe every word (they hear): but the prudent man looketh well to his going." Proverbs 14:15. All sorts of false teachings may be produced by "handling the Word of God deceitfully." 2 Corinthians 4:2.

I will always remain your brother in Christ

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