A true Pastor is one with his flock … (07/23/13)
The true “Man of GOD” refuses to be wealthier than the poorest member of his or her congregation …
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“And yet judgement is best left to Him” ~ Julie Honeycutt
… and discernment is only left to us!
“Do not judge by appearances, but discern with unbiased perception.” ~ Jesus (John 7:24)
“Brothers and sisters, do not be naive in your thinking; rather, be as infants towards evil, but in discernment be as adults.” ~ Paul (1 Corinthians 14:20)
There is a HUGE difference between judging a preacher to be “an evil man” or “a dishonest person” or a “lost soul” and discerning that his or her actions contradict his or words; that his or her words contradict the core values of his or her own religion; that his or her religion contradicts the teachings of his or her Holy Prophet (or “Son of God”).
The condemnation of the former (a.k.a the “judgment” of Matthew 7:1-2) only encourages those condemned to defend themselves and continue along their hypocritical paths … The gently-humble-yet-open recognition of the latter (a.k.a. the “judgment” — or discernment — of John 7:24) allows those same preachers to possibly see their non-selfless “sins” — and possibly change them into selflessly Caring ones.
We keep on Loving them even if they don’t of course, and yet if they are going to have the gall to preach superficial selfishness (or arrogant condemnation, or hatred of others, or ridicule of the different), then we will have the courage to speak out — gently yet firmly — against those same “blasphemies”.
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