1st Corinthians 4 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.
6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
The Bible is a sure guide to right living for every believer. There is no substitute for God’s personal guidance available to each of us in scripture. A Christian who skips over personal study is a weak, undernourished Christian and finding even a strong, human leader to follow in place of the Bible is only, a form of spiritual fast food that can’t deliver the kind of healthy nutrition every believer needs. Every born-again believer in Christ needs to look to Jesus for themselves and look to God’s Word for themselves in order to become strong in faith and immune to being led astray by the sinful weaknesses that exist in all men and women. Without personal Bible study, there is no way to be able to only, follow others as they follow Christ.
My prayer for the church is that each of us would look to the head, which is Christ, and spend more time reading and studying the Bible. A healthy community is made up of healthy individuals. Each of us must take responsibility for our own spiritual health if we desire a more effective church. No new programs, or changes in worship services, or a revamping of methods can revitalize an ailing church. The church today, has gone far beyond “what is written” and is very diluted as a result. The power to change that lies in each believer’s personal choice to first look to Jesus and then seek His guidance by spending time studying the very Words that Jesus lived. There is no other Way and no other map to follow but the Bible.
joyindestructible 
Amen and well said Pam. And might I add very well needed at this particular moment. Going beyond what is written seems to be a way of life, especially among many who claim Christianity. The Doctrine of Salvation is being tossed aside as if it is garbage and being replaced by whatever pleasant message we can cook up.
God doesn’t judge us. Well, yes He does. We have been judged and found guilty. Thank Him He sent Jesus to pay our price.
Our sin doesn’t separate us from God in the New Covenant. Yes, it does. God is still perfect, we are still not. Jesus is and that is what bridges the separation.
God loves us, so we just hang out and we all get saved. No, we don’t. Jesus’ payment is available to all, but efficacious only to those who believe.
God will save us, even if He has to use all eternity to do it. No, afraid not.Once our eternity begins, our eternity is settled. The only time to change our eternal fate is here and now.
Sorry, Pam if this was a ramble, but you hit a nerve and I thank you for it.
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There is no Christian message needed more at this time than the simple gospel. We need to return to what works. It isn’t rocket-science and it is high-tech. It’s the power of the cross unto salvation. I actually, hope this will hit a few nerves. God bless your day, Wally.
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Indeed, I hope it does as well.
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Absolutely well said, people come to church as if it is a vending machine to put in some coins and pick what they want. We’re supposed to come on a Sunday to share the joy we have been feeling and working out all week as we live for Jesus. Maybe to get some encouragement and support, to remember the Lord’s Supper, to celebrate together. Instead, we come and for some of us it is the only spiritual contact we’ve had all week and we go home to dine on the pastor with criticism and scorn for others as seasoning.
Even if we don’t criticise and judge I can’t survive on one meal a week physically, neither can I spiritually. Daily food is required for my body and more importantly for my soul. Daily? Hourly! Minute by minute! That takes commitment, dedication, time all of which come step by step – no-one became a bible scholar in one day, nor a prayer warrior overnight.
God IS gracious and loving and giving and He DOES provide, has provided all we need but we have to open the book, open our hearts. He won’t force feed us.
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The answer to every horrible problem we face today is simple, Jesus. Thank you for reading and sharing your heart.
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Prophetic words. That book contains the map to true love and liberation. God bless.
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So true, lonely author. Promise and road map to follow to find liberation from the things I desire to be free from. God bless you too and have a wonderful weekend.
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Thanks. You too.
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Amen!!
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Hi Jess, God bless.:0)
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This is amazing! You post the truth. I’ve read so much lately about how we should view other people’s opinion of us. The word tells us, we should be focused on Him and what He has to say.
Also the idea that the church needs revamping to make it more acceptable is leaving many in a state of confusion; thinking that religion should be updated to meet the times. Great post!
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Thanks Rose but I just share what God is showing and teaching me. God bless and keep you.:0)
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🙂
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Amen. A good post. As I read your post I was also lead to pray for those in my church who does not read the Word. So much source of their problem comes down to them not reading; they don’t know God’s requirement that’s revealed from the Word, they don’t read the Word to worship God, that would therefore fuel their obedience and godliness, etc. This was an encouraging post.
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I’m glad you are blessed by the scripture and my thoughts on it. The church has to be nourished on God’s Word or the church becomes something else…
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