groupie said:
I was recently told by a former HAC teacher that I ran into that God will NEVER bless me.
His reasons -
God only blesses....
1. Soul winners that get converts down the aisle and people that get folks in the "water".
False. This is what is wrong with the entire term "soul winning" - it is our job merely to witness to the truth. According to the Scriptures (not men repeating other men's words), it is the Holy Spirit, not man, who brings conviction. And it is the sinner that must realize his need to be saved. If the sinner is merely getting you off of his porch, or being coerced by your psychological techniques, he is not saved. It is God that saves. Has this man never read the Bible about one man planting, others watering? Maybe some people are mostly planters or waterers -- how dare the person who happened to be there when God saved the soul take credit for it? This is also what is wrong with most soul winning promotions -- they award points for people getting saved and even more for people coming to church after salvation and even more for when they get baptized. Again - unjust! If our duty is to tell the truth, then don't award points for the work of the Holy Spirit and the decisions of the [supposedly] newly saved. Such a contest only teaches church members how to manipulate others. Instead, award points for telling the truth or handing out tracts. Period. This man has NO scriptural basis for this claim.
2. Those that are faithful in a local, independent, fundamental Baptist Church.
The scriptures do tell us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. However, there are independent fundamental churches that don't say "Baptist" -- and there are several churches that say "Baptist" and are not fundamental. The measure of a church is not the words on the sign, but how faithful the preacher is to preach the Word of God, and (the hallmark of believers that Jesus talked about) how the members love one another.
Moreover, the Scriptures tell us that God sends rain (one form of blessing) on both the just and unjust, so there is no cause to say that He will "only" bless certain people.
3. God only blesses people that live a completely separated life.
Uh, that would be nobody. No one is completely separated... we still sin. This man has a serious problem with his view of God. God is good. All that are saved are precious to Him. He blesses as He sees fit, not as man would have Him bless.
4. Those that pray much, give much and give much time to the Lord's work.
I'm not sure if the teacher said "and" -- this is an unusual combination -- usually, people who give much money don't spend as much time in prayer as those, say, on fixed incomes. And people with busy jobs may not be able to give "much time" to the Lord's work. People who give "much time" are often poorer.
The Scriptures say "give, and it shall be given to you...", but they do not say "give MUCH, and it shall be given". Jesus was more impressed with the widows two mites than much higher amounts.
Even if the 'former HAC teacher' said "or", it would still be wrong. Has he not read that the Scriptures tell us that ALL our unrighteousnesses are as filthy rags? That includes the works we do AFTER salvation. We hold up our filthy rags and ask God to bless us for them. Those who know better don't plead their own works - they plead the righteousness of Jesus Christ - shining white garments - and make requests in His name.
5. That that surround themselves with holy folks.
Well, if you "surround" yourself with "holy folks", how do go soul winning, as per #1. Jesus was known as a friend of sinners, and was around the ones that needed Him. Many IFB types wouldn't invite unsaved neighbors to a cook-out; they are too afraid that they or their children might be "contaminated" by the unsaved being in such close proximity.
Your thoughts on this junk?
Given above.
8)
