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MINISTERS' & FAMILIES' CONDUCT &
MISCONDUCT
Questions Nos. 564 to 579
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Question # 564: "We have a
minister who has married with three wives and still preaching the Word in the
pulpit. Brethren were comparing his case with a rescued Samaritan."
E.O.D.H. Answer: This was
thoroughly condemned by the Scriptures and Message in Book 10: Questions and
Answers. If this was done in an unscriptural manner, the rescued Samaritan story
does not apply in this case and cannot help this backslidden preacher in the
face of 1Timothy 3, which says that 'a bishop or a preacher must be the husband
of ONE wife.' Yes, evil men will wax worse and worse and they will find an
excuse for their sin. We better leave them alone and continue to expose heresies
and the evil of men whenever the need arises.
Question # 565: "The same pastor
preaches another thing: "Good works are not important. Because we have not been
saved by works but by faith, so that we can take black medicine and watch the
movies while we are in this Message. God will take away those wicked works some
day. Now we can practice them until God take them from us". Is it right?"
E.O.D.H. Answer: Romans 6. Shall
we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid! How shall we that are dead
to sin continue in sin?
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know
ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized
into his death?" (Romans 6:1-3).
Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. I am afraid that this pastor is
not talking about grace but disgrace! There are no Scriptures that permit
such evil conduct and at the same time qualify a person as a Christian.
Multitudes of Scriptures commanded us that we should be struggling and striving
to live above sin. Mortify the deeds of the body. Work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling. (1 Corinthians chapter 5) believers should not
even fellowship with anyone with such evil conduct.
Question #566 : "The same pastor
preaches like this: "I will preach because I want to do something for Him in my
life. I won't stop my preaching though I commit adultery/fornication in my life.
I will continue to preach and bear the punishment from God for my adultery, but
not leave the pulpit." Is it right?"
E.O.D.H. Answer: No man can do
God a service without His will. Such words are blasphemous. Such a man is not
fit to preach the Gospel according to 1 Timothy 3 and Titus chapter 1.
Question # 567: "Dear Brother,
these are the teachings of K. Samson (India), who divided our church into two
and leads one group, with his own interpretations. Shall we love him and
fellowship with him?"
E.O.D.H. Answer: 1 Corinthians 5;
we must apply scriptural measures for any minister who declares himself as
above. The Bible commanded us in many places not to fellowship with such a one
until he repents.
Question # 568: "If an end time
pastor fell in adultery, confessed and wants to be a pastor or preacher; did the
Prophet say anything about it? Please let me know?"
E.O.D.H. Answer:
"But whoso commiteth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding. He that
doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonor shall he get, and his
reproach shall not be wiped away." Job 28:28 -
" And unto man he said, behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and
to depart from evil is understanding." (Proverbs 6:32-33).
Quote W.M.B.: "And if you still got the things of the
world in you, you're not born again. And how you going to claim to be born
again and still with the things of the world hanging on you...and go right
back out and defile a man's wife, break up a man's home.... you'll still be
just exactly like the world, because you're not dead to the world yet. You are
alive with it.....and a man that's born of God, you cannot call him back into
that rottenness of sin anymore. He's dead and he's born again. He's a new
creature, he's got the nature of the eagle. He's got to get into the skies and
soar" (You Must Be Born Again, 31/12/61 - page 19-22)
Adultery and fornication are articles of the world? Every believer or
preacher, who is guilty, are not born again.
"For whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world, and this
is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (1 John
5:4).
Faith given to believers that helps them to overcome the world. This faith
makes them overcomers, victors, and gets them born again.
This preacher, not having this faith in his soul, is possessed with
unbelief. His adultery or fornication is a manifestation of the attribute of
unbelief.
"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the
lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the
world." (1 John 2:16).
The New Birth gives you power over the world and its lusts. Why did the
preacher commit such sins? Simply because he is not born again and the world and
its lusts overcame him.
Quote W.M.B.: "But many of us try to do the works of
Christ before the reflection of Christ is in us.... we see these stumbles
along the road. We find the scrap heaps of ministers, of Christians, piled
along the road. It is because they didn't go into it right." (Stature of A
Perfect Man, 62-1014, par. 23-2).
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill
the lust of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16).
If you walk in the Spirit you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. How
did that man manage to go out of the spirit and manifest the lust of the
flesh?
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these:
adultery, fornication uncleanness...." (Galatians 5:19).
"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections
and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."
(Galatians 5:24-25).
YOU COMMIT ADULTERY BECAUSE YOU DON'T BELIEVE
Quote W.M.B.: E-25 Unbelief is sin. Why do you do that?
It's because you don't believe…You lie, steal, commit adultery
because you don't believe…Now, you do that because you're an
unbeliever. If you do that, and say you're a believer, you're not a
believer. Your own testimony, your fruits prove that you're not. You've got to
get rid of that before you're even a believer. (Presuming
62-0408).
LIVE IN ADULTERY-YOU HAVEN'T GOT THE HOLY SPIRIT
Quote W.M.B.: 193 "You've seen people claim to have
the Holy Spirit, and live in adultery, and drink, and everything else;
they haven't got It. (Perseverance 62-0218).
ADULTERY-YOU DO THAT BECAUSE YOU'RE AN UNBELIEVER
Quote W.M.B.: E-46 "You smoke, lie, steal, drink, commit
adultery, because you're not a believer. A believer doesn't do that." (Led by
the Spirit 59-0407).
I AM AGAINST A CHRISTIAN COMMITING ADULTERY
Quote W.M.B.: "I have nothing against a sinner drinking.
I have nothing against a sinner committing adultery, nothing against
the sinner doing this. But what I'm talking about is these people who are
supposed to be Christians and then doing that." (The Supernatural.
56-0129).
Question #569 : "If a minister
has fornicated and has stepped down, is it very necessary for him to confess to
the congregation or it is enough if he has confessed before elders?"
E.O.D.H. Answer: My precious
brother, I recognize that the answer to your question is very important.
I am answering now, because I see your desperation to hear, what is right or
wrong on this subject matter.
The minister was living in sin; he did well to step down in the interest of
his soul's salvation. He needs a shepherd as he has proven not to have
understanding both naturally and spiritually.
"But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh
understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and
dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away". {Proverbs
6:32-33}; 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
He also confessed to the elders; that is very good and proper. There is a
middle line to this. If the congregation knows about this man's life and
sinful acts, he must come before the congregation, as they will stand in doubt
of him. If this matter is only known to the elders, then it can be concealed
from the congregation, and if it gets out later to them, he must address the
issue before the congregation. According to the scripture, this man's reproach
shall not be wiped away. He has done terribly. Such sins amongst message
ministers are a patterns the corrupt lives of ministers in the message and are
like an incurable disease and highly contagious to ministers under the message.
They should step down and stay down and cry for mercy that the Lord may save
their souls. I trust that this answered your question. The Lord bless you. Peace
be unto you.
Question # 570: "Also, can a
minister, a pastor or associate be asked by elders or the pastor to step down.
If yes, under what conditions should this be done?"
E.O.D.H. Answer: Yes! If he is
not walking right, they could ask him to step down. But there is a process which
must be followed and the help of another minister must be solicited. This was
thoroughly dealt with in E.O.D.H. Book 10, Question & Answer # 155 to
160:
"Here is a minister that is immoral… It is not the place for the
congregation to deal with this man… how to handle this situation is try to get a
minister, go through this problem with the man, bring all your proofs, prove
that this man is a filthy man living in adultery, fornication or whatever and
then let that minister know that we want to have a vote in the church, whether
the church wants this man to continue as a pastor or not. If the majority votes
that he should not continue as an immoral pastor over them, then he is put
down.
…on the Hebrew book, Brother Branham said if you catch your pastor drunk…
Bring the minister who is handling this matter and ask that pastor or elder to
stay home that night…. Then the matter is brought before the church. If the
majority votes that they don't want him, he goes, and if the majority votes to
forgive him for drinking, then he continues to be pastor.
MOVING THE PASTOR-COME ASK ME, NOT A DEACON
Quote: 338-283 "And if something or another comes by
like moving the pastor, and they want to take a vote on that, you
couldn't ask a deacon to do that; you'd come ask me. I'd come down,
and say, "If you want to move the pastor, tell me why. Has he done anything?"
"Yes, we caught him drunk, or we caught him doing this, or doing
something that wasn't right." "Have you got three witness of it?" "Yes, we
have." Them witness must first be tried, "Don't receive an accusation against
an elder 'less it be by two or three witness, and let them first be proved:
against an elder." Then you have to swear to it, that you saw it, and prove
it, that you saw it. And then, if you did, then that sin's rebuked openly,
that it's wrong. Then I'd say, "Congregation, do you want to change your
pastor?" And if the congregation votes, "Forgive him, and let him go on
yet," that's the way it has to stand. See?" (Hebrews Chapter 7 Pt. 2
Church Order 57-0922)."
Question # 571: "Is there any
sin that a man does in life will prevent him from ever entering into the pulpit
to preach?"
E.O.D.H. Answer: This question
entails three divisions: The man committing sin before he was saved,
after he is saved as a believer, and thirdly, becoming a minister. All sins and
iniquity would be forgiven any repentant sinner who from his heart repents and
accepts the Lord. God could justify and sanctify him and use him in the
future as a minister, if there is a calling in his life and he meets the
scriptural qualifications. A believer may make mistakes after he is saved, but
he is not a minister. He may fall and be guilty of horrible things, but
afterwards his testimony becomes right, and after a period of time everybody
trusts him as a repentant sinner and genuine Christian. The Lord could then call
that believer and make him a minister. He could be called to preach the Gospel.
But then the emphasis is when he becomes a minister. In such instance,
the answer to your question is "Yes!" One such example of sin is adultery
by a minister. This was thoroughly dealt with on E.O.D.H. Books 6 and 12 article
# 275, and Book 10, article #137.
Question #572 : "A Pastor's wife
fell in adultery, without his knowledge. The adulterer and church member is
always at the pastor's house. Some have left the church and contacted us for
counseling. Others brought these things before the Pastor and other
ministers.
The ministers are asking him to step down from the Pastoral office. Some
have disagreed to that action, and they quote E.O.D.H. Book 2, article #20,
identifying that he can continue the ministry even if his wife fell in adultery.
I read this book and it is applicable for pastors who were already married to a
defiled woman before being ministers. It is not applicable to who is already in
the office of a Pastor. Please clarify this question on what action must be
taken against the Pastor? This man is a faithful person, but the wife has a
nasty nature."
E.O.D.H. Answer: E.O.D.H. Book 2,
Article No 20, does not justify the misconduct of a minister and his wife
in the category described in this question. This question should be answered in
its distinctive category. If a minister is aware that his wife is living
in adultery with any man, and because of personal reasons and not wanting to
lose her, refuses to stop such misconduct, then he is totally unfit to stand
behind the pulpit, and is likened unto a man who has prostituted his wife or
daughter. He is a compromiser to the Word and Message. If he cannot stand up for
the right principles of life, he definitely cannot stand for Christ.
If the minister's wife is guilty of adultery, without his knowledge, and he
even refuses to receive reports from faithful witnesses, and further
continues to allow the adulterer to visit his home, then he is wrong and is
unconcerned about what stumbling such actions are causing in the congregation.
He should be admonished to make proper investigations and let the fact be
established in the mouth of two or three witnesses. It will be proper to
conclude such investigation before other ministers and faithful witnesses. If
the matter is proven and his wife is found guilty, he should step down, until he
divorces his wife for her misconduct, or if he chooses to forgive her and she
stops her misconduct. A period of time must be allowed before he re-enters the
pulpit, for the confidence of the congregation to be restored, and the
confidence of the congregation to be restored in the wife as a repentant sinner.
He is not obligated to forgive his wife and to continue to live with her.
IF YOUR HUSBAND CONTINUES TO WANT TO LIVE WITH YOU, THAT'S UP TO
HIM
Quote W.M.B.: 1014-86 "You committed adultery against
your husband. You went to your husband and cleared yourself to your
husband; then you went to the man and the husband and cleared yourself there.
You are clear. If your husband continues to want to live with you, that's
up to him. He don't have to do it now, but if he wants to live with you
and forgives you, then you be lady enough to never be guilty of such a thing
again." (Questions And Answers 64-0823E).
I'D FORGIVE HER
Quote W.M.B.: 711-109 "I'm not true to my wife because
I'm afraid she'd divorce me. I'm true to her because I love her. There's no
other woman in the world but her. That's the reason I'm true to her. Not
because... If I done a mistake and they thought I did something wrong,
come to her, say, "Meda, honey, I didn't mean to do that." She'd forgive me
for it; I know she would. I'd forgive her; I love her. But I'd
forgive her; she'd forgive me. But I wouldn't do it for nothing; I love
her too much to do it." (Questions And Answers 62-0527).
If the matter amounts to false accusations, where there are no
witnesses to prove that the adulterer was in that house alone with the
adulteress, then the matter should be brought to a showdown with all accusers,
and the pastor should continue on the pulpit. Also, request should be made to
those who left the church to come and prove their point by witnesses. The Bible
said, "Receive not an accusation against an elder, but in the mouth of two or
three witnesses." Book 9, question 100, gives further
information.
Question # 573: "A Pastor's wife
had an illicit relationship with an unbeliever. Unbelievers know this and bore
witness to the pastor and identified the adulterer. The pastor assaulted and
wounded the adulterer. This happened once before and the pastor caught her in
the very act. It was published on the papers as rumours, in a manner to
excuse and cover the sins of his wife. The pastor crushed that man (who had the
illicit relationship); is it the scriptural way for the Pastor to have dealt
with such situation? Is he qualified to preach in any church? Should we continue
to assemble in his house for fellowship?"
E.O.D.H. Answer: Though this
question is similar to the one above, it is greater in sin, and, in no uncertain
terms, a minister that is guilty of such misconduct and his wife proven to be an
adulteress; he is disqualified from standing behind any pulpit. The
qualifications of a minister include that he should not be a striker, which
means to do violence. His wife should be in the faith and must have the right
conduct.
In this case the pastor caught his wife once in the very act of adultery. If
this is true, it is not very difficult for message believers to believe that she
has committed this act once again. This pastor should have corrected his home at
the first instance of his wife's misconduct before continuing on the pulpit.
Here is another accusation and he used violence. He is disqualified. Nobody
should sit under his ministry. If there is not another pastor, people should
gather together and listen to tapes. He is a big compromiser and he has proven
to love his wife more than the message of Malachi 4:5&6 and the souls of the
people.
Question #574 : "Why should a
pastor be disqualified if his wife disagrees with him on the faith?"
E.O.D.H. Answer: I do not
question the commandments of the Lord. The Bible said, he that loveth me keep my
commandments. It is also written that we are built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets. God used the Apostles to establish foundational doctrines
for His church. There are many things that seems questionable and in certain
cases even unreasonable, as in the case of re-marriage of the woman (Romans 7),
but we are called as Christians to obey the Word and not reason with it,
since that is what caused the fall in Eden. Eve reasoned with the serpent, after
God said not to eat of that tree.
Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles. The commandments he laid down were
from the Lord, and likewise concerning the qualifications of a minister. A
preacher would be a poor example of the Gospel if he did not have his wife under
subjection of the Word. Her religion would allow many things that the
preacher should not allow. She becomes a reproach to him, and a bad example to
his children. He will be preaching to women, children and as a whole to other
families, instructing them not to do many things, but then his wife and
children will be doing contrary to such instructions. Their behaviour will
destroy the effects of the Gospel that the preacher preaches. They become a
great stumbling block. For example, if he preaches that a woman should not cut
her hair, wear pants or dress immorally, his wife's religion may allow her to do
that. It affects the husband, because she would be disobedient to him and
follow the dictates of her pastor. Her religion may allow her to preach, when
1Timothy 2:12 and 1 Corinthians 14:34 forbid her. It's a masculine spirit, not
in subjection to her husband. She becomes a disgrace to the Gospel and that
reflects upon her preacher-husband. All in all, what one religion allows, if it
is contrary to the Scriptures, it affects the relationship of a husband and wife
and the rest of the family.
"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send
peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance
against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in
law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own
household." (Matthew 10: 34-36).
Question # 575: "What do you say
of John Wesley whose wife never agreed with him but fought the ministry, yet God
accepted him as both preacher and messenger of an Age? How do you see this
marriage in respect to 1Timothy 3:1-5? Does he stand disqualified as a
preacher?"
E.O.D.H. Answer: My precious
Brother, thank you for your most welcome question. It's new to me and I am
not very familiar with the history as you related. However, if that was so
in the case of Wesley, a Church Age Messenger, that does not alter I Timothy
3:1-5. The commandments of Paul were under the original Gospel message and we
are called back to the original faith of the Fathers by Malachi 4:5-6; we aspire
to perfection and must fulfil all the Word to qualify for the Rapture.
I understand your point if history confirms that about Wesley, which brought
about this question: "was he qualified to be a minister?" That was in the Middle
Ages and God winked at their ignorance. For example, Luther was a Church
Age Messenger and he used the catechism, baptized in titles of three gods,
preached a trinity like Wesley and other messengers and only preached one great
light - justification. God accepted him because the original Gospel was not
restored at that time, but today it is. To whom much is given, much is required.
Woe be unto us as ministers, since the opening of the Seals! We must meet
apostolic standards or we will be disqualified as ministers and lay-members for
the Rapture.
Question # 576 : "I have a
question on my mind which I seriously need clarification on. My question
is, 'Can a man be the pastor of more than one church? Please support your answer
with at least two quotes each from the Bible and the Message of the Hour. I will
also be glad if you could brief me slightly on the duties of five-fold ministry.
Thank you and God bless you.'"
E.O.D.H. Answer: On your
question, I cannot find in the Scriptures that prohibit a pastor from having
more than one flock. I myself have several flocks across my country. I noticed
that Paul and John were both Apostles, Evangelists and Pastors. They stayed in
certain places for years at a time. John pastored the Ephesian Church and Paul
stayed at Corinth. They went on from church to church, which were all considered
their flock. (Acts of the apostles). I trust that this helps you in some way.
Question # 577: "I appreciate
your answer but may be a clearer picture may evoke a different answer. A pastor
over here is in control of about five local churches. He controls their
finances and approves every decision from his original church before they
can be carried out. There are competent ministers who handle these other
fellowships but he insists on being the final human overseer. It has generated a
quarrel between him and one of his fellow ministers, resulting in a big division
across the country. The breakaway group's accusation is that the minister in
question is denominationaling the Message. My worry is that "is it true?"
Secondly, do you control the finances of the other sister churches and their
decision making? I hope you now understand my dilemma?"
E.O.D.H. Answer: Precious
brother, I think I have a better understanding of your question, now that you
have filled me in with more details, although it is true that a minister can
pastor more than one flock, it makes a difference from the matter that you have
so clearly explained.
Yes, a minister controlling several churches, though scriptural, can develop
the wrong attitude and become possessive and denominational in spirit,
desiring never to let go such power over his congregations. The true
Spirit of Christ wants to see the Ministry progress, men trained and
equipped as pastors qualified to take the oversight over local churches, and
that elders with the pastor are able to handle problems in that congregation,
and trustees their own finances. That's the way that I operate.
I have elders, ministers, deacons and trustees, with an assistant pastor in
each assembly. I leave all finances in that particular church. Church expenses
are paid from such funds, unemployed ministers and sometimes elders receive a
love offering each month, and others as directed by the Lord. Distributions are
made to the poor and needy and excess finance are distributed to most of the
people couple times for the year. Such spending of church monies is directed by
me with the assistance of the local pastor. When I think that the assistant
pastor have proven himself more competent to handle the church, I let the
local church choose him as Pastor if they wish, by a lift of hands; he is then
the local head of that church.
If anything goes wrong doctrinally or otherwise, I reserve the right to
intervene and make decisions with the help of the congregation as a whole. For a
minister to hold the power over all his assemblies and not exercise such
flexibility as stated above, he could have problems developed like the one you
described, especially when members of the church understand that such a man is
being a lord over God's heritage and is after the money, tithes and
offering more than the souls of the sheep.
A real man of God will be so honest and flexible in money matters and
training and establishing pastors over congregations that all will grow to love
him, that they will have no need for such divisions. My congregation
weeps bitterly when I have to relinquish my office as pastor and hand it
over to another, not because they don't trust and love another pastor, but
because of my honest dealing with both my ministers and congregation.
Question # 578: "Pastors, can
they work; private or government?"
E.O.D.H. Answer:
"After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to
Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come
from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all
Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.And because he was of the same
craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were
tentmakers." (Acts 18:1-3).
"And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless;
being persecuted, we suffer it:" (1Corinthians 4:12 ).
Quote W.M.B.: "But the last time it appeared just before
going out... I always worked. I become the pastor of the little Baptist church
at Jeffersonville, which still stands today. I never would take up an
offering. I never took an offering, in my life. And I didn't believe... And I
was able to work, and why couldn't I work. And I was the Indiana state
game warden." (Obey The Voice Of The Angel 50-0713 P:
3).
Quote: "One time I worked for a utility company. They
had a campaign on, and they were selling electric lights and the low-bowl
lamps, General Electric. And they had a... See who could sell the most, no
prizes, just see who could get, sell the most... I was a linesman and many
others were salesmen." (Divine Love And Sovereign Grace 56-0814 P:
3).
"Can a pastor be employed? Can he be employed by the Government or by a
private enterprise? Is he to be self-employed, doing a trade or a business? Is
he not to be working at all?" According to 1Timothy 5:8, we are to provide for
our own, especially for our own household.
Pastors have to take care of the flock that God has given to them and to
feed them with the Word. This duty is a sacred one. Much time is needed to stay
before the Lord in prayer and dedication. Working for the Government or a
private enterprise or a trade takes away much needed and precious time from him.
Whether a pastor should work or not, he has the option of determining what he
wants to do in such a situation.
"Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear
working? Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a
vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and
eateth not of the milk of the flock?
Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is
written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that
treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether
for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth
should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of
his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we
shall reap your carnal things?
If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather?
Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we
should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know that they which minister
about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the
altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that
they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. But I have used none
of these things…" (1 Corinthians 9:6-15).
Question # 579: "Can an End time
pastor have unforgiving mind/spirit/heart to anybody that has hurt him?"
E.O.D.H. Answer: It is quite
possible that a pastor or believer, can be offended, insomuch that he cannot
forget the wrong that was done to him, but according to Scriptures, he must be
able to forgive, if his own sins will be forgiven him, as it is written
in the Lord's prayer: 'forgive us our debts as we forgive those that trespass
against us'. If that unforgiving attitude continues in anybody, they lack Christ
and they need to check out their soul's salvation. Hate, malice and
unforgiveness cannot co-exist with Christ. The prophet of God said to forgive
one another. Our Lord told us how to treat any offence with a brother before you
cast him out as a heathen and publican. (Matthew 18:15-18).
Quote W.M.B.: 13-1 "That's right. Stay right together.
If the brother, you think he's a little wrong, or the sister, say, "Lord,
don't let me ever have the root of bitterness spring up, 'cause
it'll--it'll affect him, and it'll take the Christ right out of my life." That
poison acids of malice, and jealousy, and hatred, that'll just take the
Holy Spirit right away from you. It'll run Him from the Tabernacle here. It'll
kill the Spirit of God or drive it away from here, hurt your pastor;
it'll do everything. See? Don't you do that. You just wax that much closer
together. Draw up the... Take the buckle... That buckles on the whole armor of
God; just put it on, tighten up, move right up close to one another. Love one
another anyhow. Talk nice about one another. Say nice things about one
another, and then God will bless you." (Christ is the mystery
63-0728).
Cain and Judas were examples of stony and unforgiving hearts.
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