Friday, September 24, 2004

A Statement Of Conscience - Being Led By The Spirit A Statement Of Conscience - Being Led By The Spirit In "Googling" the Internet to see if I could find any compilation of the United Methodist Social Principles with scriptural based supporting references, I ran across this letter - a Statement Of Conscience by Dr. Bill Hinson presented at the UM Decision 2004 breakfast, Thursday, May 6 -- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. An extract of the letter, provided below - really made an impact on me - and I wanted to share this with you. I shall never forget the puzzled look on the face of a newscaster this past summer.  He was covering the events leading up to the selection of an active homosexual as a bishop in the Episcopal Church.  He asked one of the priests who had worked hardest to elect Gene Robinson, "How do you feel about what you are doing?  This is the first time in recorded history that a mainline denomination has gone against the clear teaching of Scripture.  How do you feel about that?" he asked.  The priest responded, "I feel fine about that.  You can't be guided in the 21st century by an old book like the Bible."  The newscaster, obviously bewildered, asked then, "What is your ultimate authority if it is not the Bible?"  The priest responded, "Our authority comes from the Holy Spirit working in community."  Now, at first glance, I thought, "How subjective can you get?"  That means a group could meet down at the convention center and decide the Holy spirit was leading them to be polygamous.  However, as I reflected on his statement, I realized that the church was born out of the Holy Spirit working through community.  That is precisely what happened at Pentecost.  What is the difference?  The difference is Simon Peter stood up immediately and announced that what was occurring was the fulfillment of Scripture.  What the prophet Joel had declared was becoming a reality.  Then I understood.  The Holy Spirit leads in the fulfillment of Scripture and in the illumination of Scripture.  He never contradicts the Word of God.  If you are being led by a spirit to do something that is contrary to the Word of God, you must test the spirit, because it is clearly not the Spirit of God.  The Holy Spirit will never contradict Himself. Full Letter I think the extract from this letter very much captures my concern with beliefs, creeds, principles, etc. that are not biblically grounded.   If we are to please God - we must be filled with and follow his Holy Spirit - and if we are following his Holy Spirit - we will not be led into areas that do not agree with the Word of God.   This point is especially salient as we seek to understand how the UMC Social Principles - relate to the Word of God.  1:35:27 PM    comment []

Transformation! Transformation! This Week's Memory Challenge Calls Us To Be "Transformed" By The "Renewing" Of Our Mind - So We Can Recognize God's Will. Romans 12:1-2 : 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. An extract from John Darby's synopsis of the New Testament provides the following commentary on these verses. The ground of all christian morality is now laid in this fundamental principle:-to present our bodies as a sacrifice, living, holy, acceptable to God-an intelligent service, not that of the hands, not consisting in ceremonies which the body could perform-a simple but deep-reaching and all-efficacious principle. This was for man personally. As to his outward relationships, he was not to be conformed to the world. Neither was this to be an outside mechanical nonconformity, but the result of being renewed in mind, so as to seek for and discern the will of God, good and acceptable and perfect; the life being thus transformed. Additional resources from Heartlight - as you meditate on these verses: Burton Coffman Gill's Exposition Geneva Study Bible Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Matthew Henry Complete Matthew Henry Concise People's New Testament Robertson's Word Pictures Treasury of Scripture Wesley's Explanatory Notes Past Memory Challenges: Matthew 17:27 "Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours." Psalms 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.  Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. Psalms 145:3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. Jeremiah 29:13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 1 John 3:18  Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. Psalm 145:8  The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. 11:02:38 AM    comment []