Tact....

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>>>>> "Dee" == Dee Goepel <dee@pobox.com> writes:

    Dee> I would like to refer to Kenneth Wilson's statements re:
    Dee> certain water sports and such (which I will *not* repeat).

    Dee> I don't think these comment were necessary at all.  I also
    Dee> don't think they edified anyone or brought glory to God.
    Dee> They were simply crass and off-topic.  In addition these
    Dee> comments seemed to put words in Bro Brandon Parker's mouth
    Dee> which I am sure (based on his numerous other posts here) he
    Dee> would NEVER have said or implied or had anything to do with
    Dee> whatsoever.

I think I do understand the point Bro. Wilson was trying to illustrate
by his perhaps overly graphic example.  The statement that I would
like to add to this discussion is: "The letter of the law (or any body
of rules, etc.) killeth, but the Spirit giveth light."  

The inference that I would like to draw is that a pastor frequently
sees saints behaving in a manner that he considers inappropriate, and
desiring to steer their behaviour in a more acceptable direction, he
tells them what not to do.  Later, some other saints do something
similar, but not the same, and the pastor does nothing.  Now the first
group of siants feels that they have been treated unfairly.

To keep people from feeling slighted in this way, a pastor finds that
he must make rules.  It is also easier to be dogmatic (in fact, it is
a cop out) than it is toteach the underlying principles involved so
that the saints can draw their own conclusions based on the
combination of taught knowledge and the influence of the spirit.

But if they did that, then different saints would reach somewhat
different conclusions on how they ought to act, and then some would
feel others were wrong, etc.  If only we would not always try to
impose our own interpretations on others: "No scripture is of private
interpretation", and if only we would obey: "Each man must work out
his own salvation with fear and trembling."  If only we would "obey
those that have charge over you".  If only we would obey the spirit,
the same spirit that led us to that pastor, the same spirit that
dwells inside both us and that pastor.  If only we would "judge that
ye be not judged".  If only...  Then we might see a *MOVE* of that
spirit.  But as these things persist, I fear that we grieve that
spirit.  Woe unto us if we do!

    Dee> I appreciate testimonies and praises which bring deserved
    Dee> glory to God.  I understand discussions and debates which
    Dee> might bring us closer to the truth.  I accept discussions
    Dee> which degrade into dogfights... but I don't see anything in
    Dee> comments which are destructive.

    Dee> His unnerved child, -Dee <><

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