Community

It's ok to be open minded about different views. However, there are things and people that can keep you or turn you from God. God gave us free will so yes we can explore. What happens to other groups and religions that have been taught in different ways. They believe they are following the right way too. Is it right to try and change them? Is our way the only way? A lot of different religions believe in a higher power. And some of their teachings have the power of goodness and rightness and teaches man to be good, honest, kind, respectful, etc.. I am just throwing this in, lol. You see we believe in Jesus and God and the bible teaches us how to live. But a lot of other teachings help with this. But, we have to be careful that we don't lose sight of God and his purpose for us. Even as a kid I use to think that too much education could turn people from God if they didn't focus on him. When I went to university I heard a lot of things in my classes and I often wondered how many people were swayed to those beliefs and caused them to stumble. Which come back to the verse I chose: "Watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in you way...".

Paul is encouraging believers in this chapter in whom they can trust, and whom they are encouraged to help. Then in this verse he warns them to be wary of those who are divisive. In past years I have personally seen and experienced those who are divisive, and it is not a pleasant experience. Lord, I ask You to encourage the body of Christ to work together for the furtherance of the gospel of Christ, rather than be self seeking and controlling. Amen

In this chapter, believers are encouraged to support and welcome those who are faithful but at the same time to stay clear of those who cause division and hinder the preaching of the truth of God's word. We see it even today, those who have developed their own theology and attempt to influence others away from God's truth. We must be wise and check carefully what Scripture tells us by study and cross referencing it, as well as taking a verse or passage in its proper context. Lord, help us to search out Your truths, and not be led astray by those who try to inject their own human thoughts, which side-steps your truths. Amen

This verse tells me to be careful. To watch and listen and not be too quick to follow whoever.... But to always ask for Gods direction. Trust has always been an issue for me. It took me a long time to just let go and trust God. Sometimes I think I'm too cautious.

After two chapters are unity among Christians, Paul says, "watch out!" for those whocreate dissentation and cause division. Other versions use the word "mark". Mark or identify. In order to mark and avoid those professing Christian teachers and leaders who are promoting doctrinal heresy (thus causing divisions among Christian believers), it is obvious that we must exercise sound biblical discernment and judgment. This judgment must be based on "the doctrine which ye have learned" from God's word. "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20). Such decisions are not to be based on supposed scholarship, tolerance, or eloquence, for such teachers "by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." Instead, we must know and apply God's word, the Holy Scriptures. We must be like the Bereans, who, when they heard new teachings, "searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11). It is sadly true today that many who call themselves Christians have compromised with the pseudo-scientific worldview of evolutionary humanism that controls all secular schools and colleges, hoping thereby to avoid the "offence of the cross" (Galatians 5:11), and to remain on good terms with "the princes of this world" and "the wisdom of this world" (1 Corinthians 2:6). They do this for their own personal gain or prestige, however, not serving Christ, "but their own belly" (Romans 16:18). Those who are simple Bible-believing Christians are, therefore, not to be deceived by their "good words," but to "mark" and avoid them. So "watch out!"

God is always there working for your good have faith and rejoice in those who know Christ, yet be aware that there are some people that tend to sway you from your faith. You may not even realize it, stand strong and do your part. Even in the church where everyone is suppose to be working toward one goal to be a light in the community so that the community can see Gods love through us even here there are those that make you want to quit that's when you take people out of the equation and focus on God and what he is asking you to do and what he wants for your life.

I suppose this is why I have a difficult time signing up to be a member of any one church. Since childhood I have been to many churches and I have found that there are churches designed for new belivers of which I attended for 7 years until I felt I was not learning anything new because sermons where repeated every 2 years. Then I went to a church that as far as knowledge of the bible the Pastor was great but I didn't feel like I was part of their "in crowd" they never acknowledged that "in EVERYTHING you do, do so for the GLORY of GOD". I wish all churches put a stress on that being a believer and living it out loud is not a 1 day of the week thing but 7 days a week, "but be doers of the word not just hearers only lest you decieve yourself". And now I go to a church that the pastor is kind and unlike all other pastors he actually makes a point to get to know his congregation outside of church, and he solved the one thing I had a problem with "how do you study the bible and apply that knowledge" Pastor Randy gives us study sheets to work on Monday-Friday that are filled with tough questions, truth, and application. There are just too many "churches" that only teaching surface christianity.

Wolves in sheep's clothing

The devil uses or friends or family to distract and hinder us with lies and has them tell us that things are appropriate to do even when the word says they are not. So be true rio what u have been taught through the word and do not stray from it's teachings no matter who says different.

What is true in Jesus' time is true today there are people even church in our areas today that try to cause divisions and obstruct us today if we are not careful. Unfortunately in this day and age we are easily distracted and go down the wrong path, we must be vigilante and listen to what God/Jesus is saying to us and keep reading the word until Jesus comes for us.