Evaluating 40 Days of Community

[*NOTE: Quotes from the 40 Days of Community Workbook are blockquoted.]

"We're Chosen to Fellowship Together...By Respecting Each Other."

"Excel in showing respect for each other" (Rom 12:10b, GW).

Respect for one another is a scriptural principle, although reading the above verse in a proper translation, we can see that the Bible goes further by saying "give preference to one another" (Rom 12:10, NASB). Elsewhere we also read "regard others as more important than ourselves" (Phil 2:3, NASB).

Part of listening means we don't rush to fix things or to give an answer; we respect others enough to let them share their full story.

Rick shared some good practical advice prior to the above statement about respecting others by listening to them. Later, he also rightly says that we show respect in how we talk about others when they are not around. We should not gossip which is to treat ourselves as better than others. However, while part of listening involves not inappropriately interrupting someone, and certainly not rushing to always fix things, we must be willing to offer godly wisdom, correct someone who is in error or even rebuke someone living in sin. In fact, the very nature of how Rick is writing is to offer instruction and correct what he considers to be errors, and rebuke sin like gossip.

We excel in showing respect when we work hard at being: Tactful, not just truthful; ... Understanding, not demanding; ... Gentle, not judgmental; ... Polite, not rude.

Rick has some good instruction here, and we would do well to heed this advice.

One final note on respect: God entrusted the pastors and spiritual leaders of your church to "watch over your souls," and they are accountable to God for this task (Heb 13:17, LB). They must correctly teach God's Word; confront false teaching before it spreads; proclaim the Gospel to nonbelievers; pray for all people, including you and your family; train and appoint leaders; and they must do this all while serving as an example of what it means to be a follower of Jesus (1 and 2 Timothy; Titus). (emphasis mine)

Very well said indeed. It seems that Rick should therefore be supportive of this blog in my attempt to "confront false teaching before it spreads." Why are not more elders and pastors doing the same? And why does Rick violate his own good advice to "correctly teach God's Word" by consistently taking scripture out of context? Does using snippets of paraphrases that contain his favorite key words and catch phrases that are often in addition to or in contradiction with the literal reading in context demonstrate by example how to "accurately handle the word of truth"? (2 Tim 2:15).

"Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you" (1 Tim 4:16, NASB).