Just to know.

Removed the linked article from the previous post. Just...the author is a professing Christian, so regardless what anyone's perception might be on the concept of the article, He's due respect and prayer...not such denigration as constituted citing him as an "example of a trend."

In ways, it's entirely not my place to become frustrated with these sorts of things, even as hoping that expressing such confusion and frustration as are wrought in the face of (self-defined) obliviousness might serve to also prompt others to pray. And, perhaps, if there's anyone who's loving enough, spiritually mature enough as to be able to admonish according to the standards set forth for us in the Bible, then maybe to also prompt them to do so directly with whosoever is concerned?

The whole is supposed to be entirely loving, though. Entirely.

No mockery, no frustration, no condemnation, no condescension of any sort. Love. As though the person were literally our earthly brother or father (in a functional, healthy family)--kindness, gentleness, humility, and respect of a private conversation. Rather than impersonal public denouncement of any sort.

Which, further, is why the link is now gone. It's been brought to my attention that if I'm not willing to speak to the man as a brother, myself--through personal communique.. ..then it's completely horrendous to in any way declaim his work for the Lord. Period. Kind of humiliating to admit to being (even lovingly) chastised over that point.

This latter includes especial consideration as the fellow does work in effort of teaching the world--his words were meant to help the church see herself, as to find a means of furthering the work. Meaning, according to Timothy, he deserves double the respect. Not arbitrary, uncompassionate use as an "example" of trends observed--complete refusal to accord any respect, through such a course.

Part of the humiliation per chastisement on this count has again come in terms of my own process into salvation. Of all the things I used to believe, of all the churches I've spent time in, of all the people with whom conversation has been had--thinking myself a Christian, yet not then having reached a point of knowing Christ.. ..still, the Lord used those situations, those people, those conversations, those beliefs...to draw me nearer to Him. Cumulatively. Not that He had to, nor that He'll necessarily always use completely arbitrary or even contrary circumstances to bring people to a saving knowledge.. ..but He did.

And all the more humility is due, on that account, as being unable to deny any part of the process as anything except grace. Not doctrine. Not theologically sound teaching. Not fellowship. Not discipleship under "elders" in the church. Grace.

So, when saying "there, but for the grace of God, go I," the concept both humbles for the stark realization of its truth and also for the gratitude of so seeing. Which, it's the same for all of us, really. Regardless of how Biblically-based and theologically sound our upbringing and church lives, unless we're drawn to Christ by the Father, by the work of the Holy Spirit, regeneration will not take place. Period. Because we're naturally blind to how wretched we are, as par for the course of having acted wretchedly. All of us.

Which...that's kind of a point I'm presently stuck on, in terms of the entirety of man-kind. What I get from reading the Bible is that, regardless of whether a person has ever literally heard the Gospel of Christ, we're still culpable for our rebellion against God in terms of ever having acted in disobedience, even once. Whereas His glory is declared in the heavens, in terms of the Mazzaroth, and the firmament is His handiwork.. ..and that none is excused for not knowing God, (thus far presumed because He's self-evident in creation) then it doesn't matter what stance a person takes in regard to Christ, or even having not heard of Him, in that if their heart were open to God, they would be lead into revelation?

But that equates to kicking the status quo, generally speaking. Which...Abraham did...He discerned and believed God, and His resultant obedience was counted to him as righteousness. I've heard people recently refer to Abraham's (Abram, more technically, at that juncture) people as entirely pagan, actually. And it was at a point in history where there wasn't such a thing as either Mosaic law or the Bible, period.

Which kind of puts things in perspective, just slightly, in terms of all the many people which were probably in existence at that point, and yet Abram was foremost of all those to follow God? Although Melchizedek factors in too, along those lines... ...yet completely in a different manner, apparently; otherwise, Abram wouldn't have paid tithe. So, God had a people, of sorts. In order for Melchizedek to have been one of His high priests..

..and all without missionaries, without gospel tracts, with only God as the one in control of who would and would not receive mercy, ultimately. Same as now, except that we do use gospel tracts, missionaries, and late-night televised sermon broadcasts, in an attempt to "reach people."

I'm trying to reconcile the ideas of us, as a people, as the Church... ...having such a part to play in salvation as Christ seemed to have ordained the original disciples to complete--make disciples of all nations, all peoples. Whereas there's been this assumption instilled in such a process which purports no possibility of salvation, except by the hands and words and ways of men. While, yet, the Lord Himself stated that no one could even come unto Him unless the Father drew them (which, no matter what theological constraints bind us, no claim holds sway that "we" as a species could ever truly consider ourselves adequate stand-ins for God...period).

I'm trying to reconcile the reality of there being untold billions of people who not only (presumably) don't know about Jesus Christ, but also many others who have at least passingly heard and yet refused Him. This, in light of the reality of Christ as Lord of All, and as the only means to peace and salvation.

The more I read, the more I'm beginning to suspect that every succeeding generation believes the previous generation was somehow less inherently wretched. ...as though Christianity were moreso the rule than the exception. Just...I'm not convinced. It still seems as though periods in history domination by professions of Christianity were still racked with the same social injustices and unrest (i.e., the Crusades, the Inquisitions) as is common, regardless--as though the name was adopted, while the actual practice was compromised according to entirely human standards.

Makes me wonder about the Finney revivals, or how-soever they're properly termed, wherein vast numbers of people were "saved," but without any observable changes in their overall conduct nor any increase in seeking the Lord (per as they had measured by way of church attendance). ...but, then, as was just reminded me:

Matthew 7

13"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14"For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

So, it's always as though there are only few who are saved. Always. Even when the masses profess salvation, it's still only a few. A few who find.

And I want, so desperately, to know why. I want to know why all aren't saved. But that's entirely sacred ground to wander upon, just presuming to be able to understand the Lord's ways and reasoning.

He rebuked Moses for asking Him a variant of that question. If it's not Moses' place to understand why so many people don't know Him, why so many people are lost, and why so many folks are permitted to live in absolute defiance of Him... ...then it's certainly not my place to know.

As what-with Isaiah reporting woe unto those who would so quarrel with the Maker...questioning His intentions and His ways.

Isaiah 45
8"Drip down, O heavens, from above, And let the clouds pour down righteousness; Let the earth open up and salvation bear fruit, And righteousness spring up with it. I, the LORD, have created it. 9"Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker-- An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, 'What are you doing?' Or the thing you are making say, 'He has no hands '? 

I just keep thinking there's something thereabouts I'm missing, though. Specifically in relation to that which relates the operating church to the Church of Christ (i.e., those who are actively part of the Kingdom--not a denomination)--there's something there, between forewarning of false prophets, false apostles, spirits other than the Holy Spirit which attempt to derail, and the abject need for Spirit-led discernment... ...between that, the asserted need to edify one another in Christ, speaking the truth to one another in love as to grow in Christ... ...and the need for discipline as to grow.

And it's tied in with admonition not to attempt to remove the splinter in a brother's eye prior to removing the plank in my own. Same for us all.

At what point does any of us reach a level of maturity whereby we can thus so lovingly adjure others to let loose what yet restricts and binds in such a way as not to be condescending, whatsoever? At what point does love entirely take the whole of one's heart so as to allow such a message to proceed in accord with the Gospel of Christ?

Just... ...without love, it seems the all is entirely subject to becoming a course of destruction. Without love, it's no longer focused upon the Lord, as having erred from His cause.

Making an example of people isn't an act of love. Quite the opposite. It's deplorable, and I'm ashamed of myself for having succumbed to the temptation to do so--thinking, for one moment, that "examples are necessary, otherwise the claim is invalid." When, honestly, if a person wanted to argue a point for validity, they could do so regardless of what's presented.

As with Christ.

The cross is absurdity to those who seek wisdom according to their own concepts, and a point of  confusion and frustration to folks who want to see signs and powers manifested at will. But it is the power of God unto salvation, to those of us who are called.

Those three perspectives constitute all of reality, then?

People who want power, supernatural power, signs and wonders which edify self... ...come to a point of abject revulsion, then, upon realizing that nothing of God is intended to glorify us--His power isn't intended as a means of self-indulgence. And, except that perhaps He's allowed some folks to perpetuate their own delusions of grandeur, He isn't impacted by human whim. He will manifest as He wills, not as we do. According to His own designs, His own glory, His own merciful knowledge of what is good.

People who want wisdom for the sake of possessing understanding... ...come to a point of astonishment and rejection, upon reaching considerations which can't be understood on mortal terms. We're not God, we're not capable of being Him, and He is so far beyond our ability to comprehend (ultimately) that it'll take eternity to ever begin to approach true revelation of Him. A point comes wherein faith is the thing. Because we can reason all day, but ultimately there are matters which God is silent on. To each their own, as goes that, perhaps.

People who see Christ as Lord, who seek after Him wholeheartedly.. ..will see all the rest as potentially beneficial, in terms of glorifying God. But the focus is on Christ. Not on self.

The focus is on doing His will, howsoever, to whatsoever end, by whatsoever means. As He wills.

Understanding, then, for the sake of finding some means of moving further into conformity to His will. Because it's an impulse, in that direction. Even as, periodically and often, there's given a definite "this isn't yours to know," in terms of being humbled to trust.

I don't understand why He allows me to come here and do this, wander, wondering aloud. But it's been acceptable, thus far, and even as there are major gaffes (like the one acknowledged initially, herein this bit of writing)... ...still, there's not a conviction to cease so doing. So, whatever comes.

Praying just that He's glorified in whatever comes, along all means.
Because, no matter how long I wonder, no matter in what directions, it all comes back to Him. There's nothing else worth knowing, ultimately. Even as there are things which don't detract from knowing Him. Still. He is all.