Where Do You Stand?

How can I put this except to just say it. 

I was recently asked where I stood when it comes to some of the issues that have come up over the last several years that have seen a schism divide brothers in Christ.

So here goes!

I stand where God stands as I see His will in His word.  You may not agree with my thoughts on my views of God's word, and that is your right as much as it mine to have a differing view.  I have different views on some of the things some of my brethren in the churches of Christ accept and some that I accept go against what some of my brethren stand against.  The beauty is that I will answer for what I believe and teach.  I may not feel the way some do and I may completely agree with others.

The point is Paul told us that we will be judged by God and our lives on this earth will be accepted if we are covered by the grace of God and our home will be in heaven with our Father and His Son! 

If you are a child of God and you strive to live for God who am I to hold you to something I believe.  I will not be your judge.  God will be. 

Paul used the illustration of the eating or not eating of meat.  Can we insert issues in place of meat?  I'm not sure about you, but I will answer my God knowing that what I teach is according to what I have learned from His word! 

Romans 14:13 - 23  NIV
¹³ Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. ¹⁴ I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. ¹⁵ If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. ¹⁶ Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. ¹⁷ For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, ¹⁸ because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.
¹⁹ Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. ²⁰ Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. ²¹ It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.
²² So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. ²³ But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin. (emphasis mine!)

I Can Only Imagine!

For the last week I have had the words to "I Can Only Imagine" going through my mind over and over again.  I love the song, but I can't get the message out of my mind.  I know that there are so many of my friends who are in heaven waiting for us to join them and waiting for Jesus to come back and collect His bride, the church.

Many people have gone on before yet there are so many I am concerned about.  I believe that each of us, as responsible humans, have the right to choose whether or not we follow God's word or our "interpretation" of it.  However, I believe that God has led me to know His word and has given me the talent and responsibility to share what I have discovered.  I can't wait to be with Him forever and praise Him for making me aware of His will for humanity.  I am one with Him and have been and continue to be forgiven of the wrongs I have done.  The consequences are still going to happen for the sins I have committed against Him and against those in this world that I have hurt, offended or out right sinned against. (I ask you all to forgive me if one of those is you.)

But, I can only imagine what that day will be like.  Where are you today?

I Can Only Imagine
Written and composed by Bart Millard
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Can_Only_Imagine_%28MercyMe_song%29

I can only imagine
what it would be like
When I walk, by your side
I can only imagine,
What my eyes would see,
When your face is before me
I can only imagine, I can only imagine

To be surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus
Or In awe will I be still
Will I stand in your presence
To my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine, yeah, I can only imagine

I can only imagine, when that day comes
 

And I find myself standing in the Sun
I can only imagine,when all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine,hum, I can only imagine

To be surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus
Or In awe will I be still
Will I stand in your presence
To my knees Will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine, yeah, I can only imagine

To be surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus
Or In awe will I be still
Will I stand in your presence
To my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
can you only imagine, can you only imagine
To bow at your feet
I can only imagine, I can only imagine,
I can only imagine