I Was Just Thinking About - - -
At one time or another, all of us have encountered an Intransigent Person. It may have been in a place of employment, a classroom, a military tour of duty, or in the Church. In the area of politics, while compromise is often used as a word or concept, it is rarely applied in such a way that it finds uniform agreement with those who elected them to office. A classic example would be a President who bypasses the Congress, ignores the Constitution and dares to govern by Executive Orders.
When such a pervasive attitude is allowed to dominate within the Church, it will always diminish the thrust and mission of the Church. Whatever is attempted will have to be approved by the “rule or ruin” personality or he will threaten to cut off his financial support or just leave and go to a different Church. Such a person is easy to detect. Overall, they project an persona, “it is either my way or the highway.” Those who would do an objective assessment would identify such a one as having a "rule or ruin" modus operandi and attitude. On the flip side, such a person is characterized by his “refusing to compromise or agree, and persistent inflexibility.”
There is a pattern and model that those within the Church should be committed to following. Two of the passages in God’s Word state it clearly. First, Philippians 2:3-8 (NIV), “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross!” These words are very clear and precise regarding one's attitude, namely, “have the very same mindset (attitude) as Christ Jesus.” Does that characterize who you are and how you conduct yourself in all interpersonal relationships?
Secondly, we have the compelling words recorded in Hebrews 12:1-3 (NASB), “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” The directive is abundantly clear, We are to “lay aside every encumbrance (weight) and the sin which so easily entangles us.” Those encumbrances and sins are categorically described in I John 2:15-17 (NASB), “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever." The areas addressed are “lust” and “pride.” Lust is a strong desire, drive or craving that is like a fire burning within one’s spirit and soul until personal satisfaction is achieved, despite or regardless of the cost(s). Pride is “a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in conduct.” Such a one ignores the words of warning in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Are you an Intransigent Person or one who has learned the Biblical objective for one’s life, Micah 6:8 (NLT)? Be guided by, “The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Consider these things with me!
At one time or another, all of us have encountered an Intransigent Person. It may have been in a place of employment, a classroom, a military tour of duty, or in the Church. In the area of politics, while compromise is often used as a word or concept, it is rarely applied in such a way that it finds uniform agreement with those who elected them to office. A classic example would be a President who bypasses the Congress, ignores the Constitution and dares to govern by Executive Orders.
When such a pervasive attitude is allowed to dominate within the Church, it will always diminish the thrust and mission of the Church. Whatever is attempted will have to be approved by the “rule or ruin” personality or he will threaten to cut off his financial support or just leave and go to a different Church. Such a person is easy to detect. Overall, they project an persona, “it is either my way or the highway.” Those who would do an objective assessment would identify such a one as having a "rule or ruin" modus operandi and attitude. On the flip side, such a person is characterized by his “refusing to compromise or agree, and persistent inflexibility.”
There is a pattern and model that those within the Church should be committed to following. Two of the passages in God’s Word state it clearly. First, Philippians 2:3-8 (NIV), “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross!” These words are very clear and precise regarding one's attitude, namely, “have the very same mindset (attitude) as Christ Jesus.” Does that characterize who you are and how you conduct yourself in all interpersonal relationships?
Secondly, we have the compelling words recorded in Hebrews 12:1-3 (NASB), “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” The directive is abundantly clear, We are to “lay aside every encumbrance (weight) and the sin which so easily entangles us.” Those encumbrances and sins are categorically described in I John 2:15-17 (NASB), “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever." The areas addressed are “lust” and “pride.” Lust is a strong desire, drive or craving that is like a fire burning within one’s spirit and soul until personal satisfaction is achieved, despite or regardless of the cost(s). Pride is “a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in conduct.” Such a one ignores the words of warning in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Are you an Intransigent Person or one who has learned the Biblical objective for one’s life, Micah 6:8 (NLT)? Be guided by, “The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Consider these things with me!
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