Friends in Christ Message for August 11, 2012

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Friends in Christ Weekly Message
August 11, 2012

[NOTE: This message was originally published August 16, 2000.]

One of the prophets wrote, "God will teach all of them." And so everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him will come to me.
John 6:45, CEV*

Jesus spoke of many promises, and this is one of them. We have a divine teacher to whom we need to listen. The promise is that all will be taught, and all who listen and learn will come to Christ.

Those of us who feel a call to point people to Christ need to be careful to always keep in mind who is the true teacher. We must not get carried away with our own teaching and the doctrines we contrive. We must be humble, knowing that the same God who has taught us is ready to teach everyone. We have no particular claim on the truth.

The scriptures are not clear and obvious on every point of doctrine. They warn about being caught up in the wisdom of this world. It is not the fine points of doctrine that are critical. Paul tells the Romans, in reference to other followers of Christ, "Don't criticize them for having beliefs that are different from yours." (Romans 14:1, CEV) If we get angry at our fellow believers because of differences in beliefs, we are not being obedient to Jesus' command for us to love one another.

In Friends in Christ, we see the role of those of us called to this ministry to be principally to point people to Christ. If people are listening to the Living Christ, they will be led rightly. If they are truly listening, they will hear the voice of God both in the scriptures and in their daily lives.

Dear friends, God is faithful. Listen to God's voice and heed his call in your life.

Bill Samuel