How should the elders in a local church deal with complicated situations involving the saints?
The elders in a local church must deal with all kinds of issues, including complicated situations involving the saints. A great temptation the elders face is getting entangled in determinations of right and wrong in disputes between saints. The proper function of the elders is to shepherd all the saints and minister Christ as life […]
How can we discern dissenting speakings?
When we encounter brothers or sisters who are absolutely certain of their rightness, we should realize that such persons may simply be obsessed with their own opinions and want to impose them on others. We should learn to discern what is mere speculation and subjective opinion. Moreover, we should sense whether a speaking is according […]
Why does it sometimes seem like there are generational rifts in the church?
If the younger ones do not receive from the older ones, the experiences gained and lessons learned will need to be repeated, and the advance of God’s move in His economy in and through His people will be seriously frustrated. Realizing this, Satan, the enemy of God and of God’s people, sows distrust and enmity […]
What is the relationship between God’s government and God’s grace?
The demands of God’s government are according to His life and nature and are thus absolute. He is absolutely righteous and absolutely holy, and He requires those in His kingdom to be the same. To express Him and represent Him, we must match Him. However, due to the fall this became impossible. That is why […]