Time matters, but the true key to clearing dark water is the steady flow of clean water pouring into it, diluting the thick darkness until it is completely pure.
In the same way, time alone isn't enough. You need the pure water of God's Word flowing through you continuously to make you pure.
You may strongly disagree with a pastor's teaching, and sometimes you should. But if you're a good student of the Bible, you should also know that how you correct God's servants matters just as much as what you say.
Paul publicly corrected Peter in Galatians 2:11–14, yet he never mocked him, questioned his intelligence, or called those who followed him "gullible and stupid." He confronted Peter's conduct with truth, not contempt.
Apollos was teaching with incomplete understanding in Acts 18:24–26. Aquila and Priscilla didn't ridicule him or seek to publicly disgrace him. They took him aside and explained "the way of God more accurately."
Scripture commands us:
"The Lord's servant must not quarrel but be kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness." (2 Timothy 2:24–25)
And again:
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29)
Calling a pastor names, mocking him, or describing those listening to him as "gullible and stupid" is not how Scripture teaches believers to contend for the faith.
By all means, expose false teaching. Refute error with Scripture. But do so in a manner worthy of Christ. If we claim to defend God's Word while ignoring God's instructions on how to speak, then our method has already contradicted the very Scriptures we claim to uphold. A good student of the Bible should know that truth and godly conduct are never enemies.
Permit my digression - but as minor as this may seem, this is an inherent trait amongst the majority (including myself), and it stems from the very nature the gospel of christ tries to reform in us. it might be corrected by self development sure but it’s more complex than that.
If Jesus didn't die for our sins, explain this.
Jeremiah 31:31–34
"The day is coming... when I will make a New Covenant... I will Forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins."
Then 700 years later, Jesus says...
Luke 22:20
"This cup is the New Covenant in my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you."
And the wild part is... under the Old Covenant, forgiveness of sins came through the shedding of sacrificial blood.
So here's the connection:
Jeremiah prophesied a New Covenant that would bring the forgiveness of sins.
Then, on the night before His crucifixion, Jesus declared that His own blood was establishing that very covenant.
This isn't a coincidence.
Jesus is identifying His sacrificial death as the means by which Jeremiah's New Covenant—and its promised forgiveness—would be fulfilled.
Are you guys seeing how everything in the Bible connects in the most insane, beautiful, and mind-blowing way?
The APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Mr Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli has donated a 2015 Toyota Camry to Mrs. Rachael Folake Alamu, the Principal of the kidnapped pupils.
we are made right with God by faith in Christ (rom 8:22), that’s what scripture describes righteousness as.
Living righteously is just a byproduct of true repentance(renewal of the mind).
Christianity isn’t really about morality but rather, heart alignment.
How do you answer this as a Christian:
If God's grace is enough for our sins, both past, present and future, then why are we required to live a righteous life?