Engaging In Dialog
In addition to the rules of this site, or maybe partly in explanation of how they apply, I propose some Rules of Engagement. These guidelines might help us build each other up in dialog and debate.
The tone of the writing and the words of the discussion should not be contentious . Proverbs says, "Only by pride comes contention". We know that God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. People are not scalps to be collected and only God can change the heart. It is our purpose to give him opportunity. Contention won't do that.
Use words found in the canon of scripture. The canon is not subject to being changed by the revelation of additional men including the founders of other religions or sects of Christianity. It is from the Bible words alone which God to opens to us the revelation of his word. Use only the Bible to work thru concepts and doctrines. If it cannot be supported in scripture, then we don't need to waste time opening the discussion, except to show how it differs from God's word. Our basic tool is the Bible. One can even use it to interpret itself.
Keep an attitude of humility and wisdom. Colossians 4:5 says, "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." This means that even though we know what is right, we need to use words that preserve life and give life coming from the Lord. We are not responsible for saving anyone. That is the Lord's job, so we must keep a hearing ear to the word of his grace so that we may hear how to answer each other.
Keep communication on a heart level. That communication is more important than being right. Again, People are not scalps to be collected and only God can change the heart. Romans 10:10a. says,"It is with the heart that man believes unto righteousness." Not the head. Intellectual sparring comes from pride. See notes above...
Do not use words that incite fear. We are saved by grace thru faith not fear. Faith allows God to deliver what we hope for. 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that, "God has not given us a spirit of fear," because it brings torment and he does not work that way. He has given us the spirit of power and love and a sound mind. Use sound words to stregthen.
The gospel of the kingdom is now. Focus on his kingdom and the announcing of it. This is the message Jesus preached. God works to confirm the word of the kingdom, but not necessarily all your doctrine. He heals, saves, and sets free people today because his kingdom has been brought from heaven to earth in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He will confirm that this is true by this evidence of supernatural witness. Your doctrine may be wrong in other areas, but if you have the kingdom operating in you, he will be there working to show that Jesus is, in fact, alive. Matthew 24:14 confirms, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
Limit the dialog to no more than 2 or 3 points at a time. Proverbs 10:19 says that, "In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise." So don't say everything you possbily can in every note. Keep your thoughts focused on what God is saying to your heart at that point alone. Be wise.
Now, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Carolyn
The tone of the writing and the words of the discussion should not be contentious . Proverbs says, "Only by pride comes contention". We know that God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. People are not scalps to be collected and only God can change the heart. It is our purpose to give him opportunity. Contention won't do that.
Use words found in the canon of scripture. The canon is not subject to being changed by the revelation of additional men including the founders of other religions or sects of Christianity. It is from the Bible words alone which God to opens to us the revelation of his word. Use only the Bible to work thru concepts and doctrines. If it cannot be supported in scripture, then we don't need to waste time opening the discussion, except to show how it differs from God's word. Our basic tool is the Bible. One can even use it to interpret itself.
Keep an attitude of humility and wisdom. Colossians 4:5 says, "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." This means that even though we know what is right, we need to use words that preserve life and give life coming from the Lord. We are not responsible for saving anyone. That is the Lord's job, so we must keep a hearing ear to the word of his grace so that we may hear how to answer each other.
Keep communication on a heart level. That communication is more important than being right. Again, People are not scalps to be collected and only God can change the heart. Romans 10:10a. says,"It is with the heart that man believes unto righteousness." Not the head. Intellectual sparring comes from pride. See notes above...
Do not use words that incite fear. We are saved by grace thru faith not fear. Faith allows God to deliver what we hope for. 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that, "God has not given us a spirit of fear," because it brings torment and he does not work that way. He has given us the spirit of power and love and a sound mind. Use sound words to stregthen.
The gospel of the kingdom is now. Focus on his kingdom and the announcing of it. This is the message Jesus preached. God works to confirm the word of the kingdom, but not necessarily all your doctrine. He heals, saves, and sets free people today because his kingdom has been brought from heaven to earth in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He will confirm that this is true by this evidence of supernatural witness. Your doctrine may be wrong in other areas, but if you have the kingdom operating in you, he will be there working to show that Jesus is, in fact, alive. Matthew 24:14 confirms, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
Limit the dialog to no more than 2 or 3 points at a time. Proverbs 10:19 says that, "In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise." So don't say everything you possbily can in every note. Keep your thoughts focused on what God is saying to your heart at that point alone. Be wise.
Now, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Carolyn
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