"Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, ’Where have I gone wrong?’ Then a voice says to me, ’This is going to take more than one night.’" (Charlie Brown)
I Must Have Been Wrong. Rhodes Friends 3-25-2012
Since I must have been wrong, I must apologize.
Since I must apologize, I must do it Biblically.
I was naïve enough to think that things could be different and changes would take place by the authority of God’s word and in the power of the Holy Spirit. But I was wrong.
My Confession.
Ac 24:1 ¶ And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
Ac 24:2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,
Ac 24:3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
Ac 24:4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
Ac 24:5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
Ac 24:6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
Ac 24:7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
Ac 24:8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
Ac 24:9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
Ac 24:10 ¶ Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
Ac 24:11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
Ac 24:12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
Ac 24:13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
Ac 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
Ac 24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
Ac 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
Ac 24:17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
Ac 24:18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
Ac 24:19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
Ac 24:20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
Ac 24:21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
I believed that two people could be mature and get along accepting in Christ that we may be different in personalities but have the same goals and interest in Christ. I MUST HAVE BEEN WRONG!
I believed that past mistakes or wrongs can be forgiven and FORGOTTEN and the work of the Lord would proceed without grudges or bitterness continuing to thrive behind the scenes of Christian Work. I MUST HAVE BEEN WRONG!
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Matthew 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
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2Co 2:7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
2Co 2:8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.
2Co 2:9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
2Co 2:10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
I believed that faithfulness should be a lifestyle carried out due to a love for Christ as seen by so many in the Scriptures testify to living.
Heb 11:1 ¶ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Nehemiah 7:2 That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.
Nehemiah 13:13 And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.
Matthew 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
1Co 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
1Co 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
I Must Have Been Wrong!
How could I have been so foolish to believe that men and women would really desire to feed from the scriptures and want to grow in Christ. I must have been wrong to proclaim that:
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. a Christians priority would be to STUDY causing professing Christians to hunger for the things of God. I must have been wrong.
I did not believe that man would be so dependent upon personal applaud. Failing to brag and pat one on the back for something done was something I did not think was needed in the Christian walk….Boy! I MUST HAVE BEEN WRONG! I’m so sorry.
2Co 10:17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
2Co 10:18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
Where did that come from?
I really believed that Church was a place of worship that revolved around the person of
Christ and the edifying of the saints along with the honoring of God our glorious Heavenly Father. I had no idea that traditions would override God’s way of doing things. How slow of me. I must have been wrong.
Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
I cannot accept the childlike actions of church members who would take their vengeance out, after not getting their way, by deciding to stay home and not attend services. I guess I should just bow down and politely accept the actions of the forsakers, I MUST HAVE BEEN WRONG.
1 Samuel 12:22 For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.
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1 Chronicles 28:20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
Psalms 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
I am suppose to accept the status quo and never cause waves because change for the purpose of winning souls and growing up of the saints is never to be challenged. It will happen, it just will happen. No effort. No discipline, just live and let live. We’ve always done it this way. (lie)
Job 36:10 He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
Philippians 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Ac 6:12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
Ac 6:13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
Ac 6:14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
Was I wrong to believe in Right?
Deuteronomy 6:18 And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers,
Was I wrong to desire maturity?
2 Samuel 22:33 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
Was I wrong not to forsake the Church?
Was it wrong to believe in Forgiveness?
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Was it wrong to forsake gossip and hearsay talk?
Was it wrong to Care about others?
Was it wrong to reject double minded thinking?
James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Was it wrong to teach and separation is required of God?
Was it wrong to believe in being Faithful?
Was it wrong to believe in Unity?
Psalms 133:1 A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
I MUST HAVE BEEN WRONG! ------------------------------------------------------- BUT, WAS I?
To quote Adrian Rodgers (now with the Lord)
“It is better to be divided by truth than to be united in error.
It is better to speak the truth that hurts and then heals, than falsehood that comforts and then kills.
It is not love and it is not friendship if we fail to declare the whole counsel of God.
It is better to be hated for telling the truth than to be loved for telling a lie.
It is impossible to find anyone in the Bible who was a power for God who did not have enemies and was not hated.
It’s better to stand alone with the truth than to be wrong with a multitude.
It is better to ultimately succeed with truth than to temporarily succeed with a lie.”
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
