Thank you both, dear brothers in Christ, for sharing your insights and concerns! Truly I believe we all paint with too broad a brush.
God is the master artist. He doesn't have just one color on His palette. His is a beautiful, colorful masterpiece as we can see in this glimpse of the new heaven and new earth.
And the foundations of the wall of the city [were] garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation [was] jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. - Revelation 21:19-20
We Christians have different gifts of the Spirit. Some are evangelists, some are pastors, some are teachers, etc. It is an individual thing. We shouldn't expect every Christian of a particular label to be like every other Christian of that same label even if that label has a different administration or operation.
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. - I Cor 12:4-11
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. - I Cor 12:28
And some, like Paul, are complex. Paul was a firebrand and he was also crafty and he was also tender-hearted.
When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. - Acts 15:2 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, [Ye] men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. - Acts 17:22-23
Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. - Acts 21:13
That one Christian of a certain label is meek or bold does not mean that all Christians of that label will be meek or bold. Indeed, the label itself does not guarantee that the wearer is actually Christian. Nor does the depth of his testimony. After all, doubting Thomas was an Apostle, too.
To God be the glory, not man, never man!
Exactly Alamo-Girl....
Had anyone mentioned in my early years as a Christian I would in any wise become a bold defender of the truth when called to be so, I would never have seen that coming. But we do grow and become that which He uses with the Spirit He has given us to do so.
I also think as we grow and become more like Christ we acquire the fruit of the Spirit/other gifts as well for whatever the circumstances might require....though certain ones might be dominate...we become stronger in the Lord, more well versed in the scriptures, and therefore available to Him for more diverse situations.
I believe as the final days come into view more of us as Christians will be called to face down the deceptions which are quickly taking hold across our nation. We need to be informed of what they are and those churches, groups and organizations promoting these. Further to genuinely be aware of the enemies devices so we can spot those deceptions.
As that battle rages we will need to discern that it isn't just about leading folks to the Lord, as we have known so well in the past, but also of rescuing, and fighting for those who get caught in the thickets, or on their way, as they stray or are enticed away from the foundations of Christianity. I see this happening often now.
The enemy of men's souls knows his time is short so he is picking up the pace in many areas....while he does so it seems to me the Lord is gathering Christians out of the thickets caught in as the process to integrate the religions appears now to have begun. True believers will not be a part of this “Universal” push for all faiths to become one.
To God be the glory, not man, never man!
Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!
Jesus annointed that Prophet and Seer.
Blessed to open the last dispensation,
Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.
Chorus
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.
Praise to his mem'ry, he died as a martyr;
Honored and blest be his ever great name!
Long shall his blood, which was shed by assasins,
Plead unto heav'n while the earth lauds his fame.
Chorus
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.
Great is his glory and endless his priesthood.
Ever and ever the keys he will hold.
Faithful and true he will enter his kingdom,
Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old.
Chorus
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.
Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven;
Earth must atone for the blood of that man.
Wake up the world for the conflict of justice.
Millions shall know 'Brother Joseph' again.
Chorus
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.
