House Church Talk - Riddle me this. (Wesleyans)

[RoyalHeirling at aol.com]

Throughout the ages, God has used various means and men to bring His message 
to bear upon their hearts. The many Protestant denominations should be viewed 
as a message from God that we still have a ways to go--that no one has gotten 
it right yet! But, many denominations have brought a neglected aspect of God's 
truth to light. For example, the Wesleyan's, as David mentioned in his email, 
helped illuminate the need for living a sanctified life. 

Many people denounce Martin Luther for his smoking and drinking. But we must 
remember that he was called out of an apostate religion to bring to light that 
man is justified by faith alone and not by works, as the Catholic religion 
teaches. God raised up Martin Luther to bring a critical point of truth back to 
the minds of men.

God leads us on as we are willing to follow. Had Martin Luther come 
denouncing all the vices of his time surely the emphasis that God wanted to place upon 
the truth of Justification by Faith would not have had the same impact. So, 
too, God has raised up other men to lead us in the path he would have us to go. 
Just stop and consider some of the important truths that these early 
Protestant reformers emphasized. 

When we judge that these early reformers should have lived more pure 
Christian examples, then we admit that we too are guilty and worthy of judgment for 
our slothfulness. And we are far more guilty than they because we have had 
opportunity to hear far more truth than they. 

A very interesting article, David. I am not sure to what you were eluding 
when you asked us to guess as to the reason the meetings finally collapsed. But, 
my guess would be that the group was eventually diluted with carnal elements 
which invaded their meetings. Such was the case with many of the churches Paul 
helped establish. Such was the warning Paul delivered to these same churches.

Regards,

Jeff Logan


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The same power that upholds nature, is working also in man. The 
same great laws that guide alike the star and the atom control 
human life. The laws that govern the heart's action, regulating 
the flow of the current of life to the body, are the laws of the 
mighty Intelligence that has the jurisdiction of the soul. From 
Him all life proceeds.
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