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Why We Should Listen to Everyone

This was first posted to my social media wall on March 1, 2018.

I’ve found this quote to be very true. I’ve also benefited from not disregarding people I really don’t like to be around. Just because we don’t like someone doesn’t mean we should not listen to them or that they don’t have valuable things to say. Especially if they follow Jesus Christ, listen closely to everyone.

I know people who don’t like me all that much and it seems they go out of their way to ignore, to cold-shoulder and to disregard me. Truth is, I really have no ill feelings toward most of these people and I know I could help them if we had a better relationship.

Sometimes when we don’t like someone, the feeling is mutual, but at other times the feeling is not mutual and it is just one-way. Either way we would be wise to get in the habit of listening for the Lord speaking through his followers. all of them. Those talented, and those not talented. Those like us and not like us. Those we like and those we don’t like. Those who like us and those who don’t like us. Be looking and listening for Jesus Christ in all things and all people. He is worth finding, no matter where we find him.

If we listen and hear nonsense, we just discard it. But if we listen and hear Jesus our lives are enriched greatly.

Listen for Jesus speaking through people you don’t like, and in ways that you don’t expect.

Adam Collier March, 2018
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The Origins of Cancel Culture

Cancel culture started first at divisive church ideas encouraging people “if you can’t agree with the pastor (who is like our little king) just shop around to find someone you can sit silently and agree with.” (eye roll)

A pastor not too long ago said “if you don’t like pastor so and so go listen to someone else”. All Jesus followers I consider a friend. Disagreement with a friend is not grounds for disliking or unfriending or canceling and censoring.

“Go listen” to someone else’s performance… that is deeply flawed theology of church gatherings. “How can two walk together lest they be in agreement?” Does not apply to Christian gatherings. It’s a cut and paste theology used to rid churches of people who disagree. Wimpy leaders who don’t want to be bothered with disagreement, who insist they get the final word on everything. And who don’t want to acknowledge the fact, (yes fact) that they actually need others to disagree and debate and together come to the mind of Christ on every topic.

Then this attitude it evolved to social media where anything disagreeable offends and then the unfriending and cruel battles online and blocking began.

Now it has evolved to a National scale where entire people groups get canceled, fired, banned, censored for the offense of hurting peoples super sensitive feelings. I believe the cruel left wing elites learned this from church going Christians.

I believe that most major social ills are learned from Christians who believe traditional lies over scripture and over the Spirit of Jesus. They usually start with deceptive theology, doctrines of demons, that inherent then unwittingly cling to.

If we can acknowledge this mistake, especially Christian leaders. Then repent and seek what the Lord wants then we can undo the National situation we are facing.

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When its NOT ok to Break Fellowship with Fellow Christians

A respected friend of mine recently wrote somewhere that it is a sin to break fellowship with Christians over differences in theology including ecclesiology (paraphrased). He also wrote on his blog that constantly offering unsolicited advise drives people away.

I am compelled to admit I have done both of these. Breaking fellowship over differences in ecclesiology, how I believe the church should gather. And I have offered unsolicited advice, mostly general advice on social media.

Ecclesiology is the theology of the ecclesia, aka the church. To be specific, ecclesiology is the theology concerning the nature of Christian ministry and gatherings of Christians.

Over the past several years I have been excited and at times passionate about rethinking and reforming how Christians gather for church meetings. Hoping to bring meetings closer to what Jesus began among his followers and what we read about in the New Testament.

If I am being perfectly honest, this effort of mine has seemed to have mostly fallen on deaf ears. I’ve not been able to change existing churches that I associate with. I’ve sat down with many men in the ministry, and many saints who feel frustrated about similar problems. They agree at least in principle with what I suggest but leave it at that.

My efforts do seem to have been fruitless. As difficult as that is to admit.

Christians in my day seem only interested in inspiring sermons. And ministry to most means “helping others to hear sermons.”

I can’t fully express how disappointing this has been to me. To see what I see of the Lord’s plan for his kingdom on earth. To see it yet not be able to do anything about it. Even among the Christians in my own family and friends. It’s been one of the most exciting and disappointing revelations from the Lord of my life.

NOT Ok to Break Fellowship Over Theological Differences

What I do know is that it is not ok with the Lord to break fellowship with the Christians in our lives because we disagree on matters like these. Jesus followers are meant to be in fellowship one with another. It is sinful to abandon one another or drive people away, because we have differing church or ministry visions. The verse about “how can two walk together lest they be in agreement?” is taken out of context. It does not mean we have to agree on everything to remain in fellowship.

No two Christians will agree on everything all the time. And if they do, one of them is not thinking for himself, he is likely immature, and not fully following the Lord, And he is likely merely following other inspiring men.

I think it is actually good to not see eye to eye on every matter, that is one of the things that fellowship is for. Iron sharpening iron. Working out of differences as we seek the Lord’s wisdom and will TOGETHER. That is how we are to come to the mind of Christ by working it out together.

When it comes to church gatherings I’ve found the most important thing is to be led of the Holy Spirit. If the Lord leads you to attend a sermon church, then go without hesitation. If the Lord inspires you to stay home and teach your family or friends then do so without guilt. If the Lord inspires you to ask out a friend to lunch to share something then do so faithfully. Make no rules!

Doing always the same thing without asking permission and guidance about where, when and what to gather around. That is error. Being flexible and submissive every single day, every single moment to the leadings of the spirit of Jesus Christ. And to not hold grudges, not give out cold shoulders if we cannot get into agreement on certain matters.

We are not to operate on Sunday autopilot! Forever doing the same thing as if that is earning us some sort of status. Church attendance status is not a thing in the kingdom of God. If it’s a thing with you ….then I’m not sure who you’re following.

Listening to and cooperating with the Spirit of the Lord is what “earns” us something. If he is leading you to do the same thing for decades and it involves sitting idle then I’d question something else.

Anyhow

Jesus can talk through any of his children at any time, men, women, children, stubborn, passive, and those with imperfect or differing theologies. Be willing to meet with them in any way, and at any time and always. Always listen for the voice of the Lord, the Spirit of Jesus Christ for specific leadings and instructions.

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