12 Point Cure for Complaining – Bill Izard

I stumbled upon this article, reproduced with permission, while visiting the Berean Wife’s blog.

Friends: may it prick your conscience as it did mine – should the need exist   (You know I decline to suffer alone! )

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Complaining is unbecoming of the true Christian and yet we are proficient at it. The cure is found in these verses. In Christ we are never hopeless or forsaken. Every trial has meaning. Meditate on this cure in order to change both your language and your heart.

1. GOD COMMANDS ME NEVER TO COMPLAIN.

Do all things without complaining and disputing. Philippians 2:14(NAS)

2. GOD COMMANDS ME TO GIVE THANKS IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE.

In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

3. GOD COMMANDS ME TO REJOICE ALWAYS, AND ESPECIALLY IN TIMES OF TRIAL.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Phil. 4:4; Rejoice always. 1 Thessalonians 5:16; Count it all joy when you fall into various trials. James 1:2

4. I ALWAYS DESERVE MUCH WORSE THAN WHAT I AM SUFFERING NOW, IN FACT, I DESERVE HELL.

Why should any living mortal, or any man, offer complaint in view of his sins? Lamentations 3:39 Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Luke 13:2-3

5. IN LIGHT OF THE ETERNAL HAPPINESS AND GLORY THAT I WILL EXPERIENCE IN HEAVEN, THIS PRESENT TRIAL IS EXTREMELY BRIEF AND INSIGNIFICANT, EVEN IF IT WERE TO LAST A LIFETIME.

The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom. 8:18; For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:19

6. MY SUFFERING IS FAR LESS THAN THAT WHICH CHRIST SUFFERED, AND HE DID NOT COMPLAIN.

Who when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when he suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. 1 Peter 2:23

7. TO COMPLAIN IS TO SAY GOD IS NOT JUST.

Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right? Genesis 18:25

8. FAITH AND PRAYER EXCLUDE COMPLAINING.

I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered from all my fears. Psalm 34:4

9. THIS DIFFICULTY IS BEING USED BY GOD FOR MY GOOD AND IT IS FOOLISH FOR ME TO COMPLAIN AGAINST IT.

And we know that all things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

10. THOSE MORE FAITHFUL THAN I HAVE SUFFERED FAR WORSE THAN I, AND DID SO WITHOUT COMPLAINT.

…and others were tortured, not accepting their release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. All these, having gained approval through their faith… Hebrews 11:35-39

11. COMPLAINING DENIES THAT GOD’S GRACE IS ENTIRELY SUFFICIENT.

My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

12. THE GREATEST SUFFERING, THE WORST TRIAL OR DIFFICULTY, CAN NEVER ROB ME OF THAT WHICH IS OF GREATEST VALUE TO ME AND MY GREATEST JOY, NAMELY THE LOVE OF CHRIST.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

Copyright © 2001 Bill Izard
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A Different Gospel, Which is No Gospel

We’ve established that Rick Warren preaches “another gospel”, that Rob Bell is a heretic, and that Joel Olsteen is a charlatan…but what now?

I thank God that he has placed watchmen at the gate to sound the trumpet. I do.  But I wonder if I have left behind a club of apostasy and heresy, only to walk into another kind of club, the kind where the goal is to glory in not being in the apostasy and heresy club?

Why can’t we glory in being in Christ?

Many of the folk I encounter on the internet who stand firm on issues of the full gospel presentation  and the belief that the preaching of the Word is the means by which the salvation message is to be delivered (as apposed to wrapping it up in pop-psychology in the five minute conclusion to your church’s latest entertainment program) would appear to be Calvinist inclined.

As such, what right have we to be smug?  If we truly believe we are saved by grace alone, by the merciful predestination of God, called by Him and saved by Him when we were dead in our sin and our mind was blackened with the darkness of that death, when we were irresistibly drawn by Him because of His immeasurable mercy, how then can we feel superior to those still in darkness or to anyone at all?

I don’t for a moment mean that we shouldn’t judge our brethren who claim to be Christian, but are showing fruit to the contrary; emphatically, I am not saying that.  But what I am asking is, where is our first love?  Where is the delight in our bridegroom? Our overflowing desire to talk about the wonder of His grace and the beauty of His sacrifice?

Those who know me will know that I am not a woo-woo sloppy sentimental type.  I am not talking about the “Jesus is love, let’s all hold hands and sing Kum ba ya” type of mindset.  What I am saying is that after we have declared something to be false, let’s move on from it, rather than flogging a dead horse. Those in deception will not have their eyes opened by you singing the same song over and over, and those who are aware will not be encouraged toward “love and good works so much the more as we see the day approaching”.

Folks, we have a message of hope for those in darkness, and our brethren. He SAVED me!  Saved me from the fearful wrath and judgment of a Holy God!  That is the news worth declaring!  Can you believe that someone, and not just someone, but God incarnate, died for me?

Has it become “cooler” or maybe less socially awkward, to talk about the state of the church than it is to talk about the Gospel?  God forbid.

We can be diligent in all matters we have been charged to oversee, and I commend the many for the efforts they spend it declaring truth.  But in the midst of the truth about the wolves we’re exposing, let us not lose the greatest Truth.

The best defense against a counterfeit gospel is the presentation of the true gospel.

Paul Washer: A Crucial Message

Are you in ministry? Sharing the gospel with people? Paul Washer is saying stuff you need to hear. While he addresses concerns with modern evangelism you may have heard before, he shares some brilliant, encouraging truths every Christian needs.

There are some priceless gems of truth in this message: it’s well worth the the viewing time.

All Things to All Men

What did Paul mean when he uttered that now famous phrase, “I am made all things to all men”?

By comparing scripture to scripture, a conclusion consistent with the teaching of other passages can be discovered.

Firstly, we can conclude that Paul was restricting his rights as a Christian, rather than extending them, with his statement. Specifically, he talks about laying down his rights, forfeiting them for the sake of winning others to salvation.

Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

Paul makes a case that he has a right to be supported while preaching the gospel. However, he laid aside that right, lest it should be a stumbling block to any.

1 Corinthians 9:20
20And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

Paul knew liberty in Christ, under the new covenant. He no longer was bound by the burden of the law, yet in order to win the Jews, he laid down his right to exercise his freedom in Christ, and continued to follow the law.

1 Corinthians 9:22
22To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

He was at liberty to eat meat offered to idols, knowing it did not contravene God’s law. However, he again laid aside that right and freedom to eat, lest it be the cause of stumbling to a weaker brother.

This is consistent with Galatians 5:13;

13For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

And 1 Corinthians 9:27
27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

An example of this today is not that, “I will listen to rap music, so I can relate to the teenager down the road and not look so uncool, so as to win him to Christ.”

It would look more like, “I have liberty in Christ, yet I will cover myself to share the gospel to the Muslim woman, so that she is not offended by my gross sin of wearing jeans and a singlet top.”

Paul was not talking about engaging in worldly activities so we can relate to sinners. Consider -

1 Thessalonians 5:22-23
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 2:22
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

He was not condoning preaching a soft, inoffensive gospel;

Acts 20;
27For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

20And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,

21Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

In conclusion, consider this vital point:

Paul’s concern was that the gospel not be rejected because of apparent sin:

our concern is that the gospel not be rejected because of apparent holiness.

Friend, this is not consistent with scripture.

Paul conformed to his surroundings in a manner that ensured the appearance of righteousness, so as not to lose a convert as a result of his perceived sin. He did not want the gospel to rejected by the Jews because he failed to observe the law: the law to them represented Godliness.

Contrast this to today’s oft times misinterpretation that we can conform to the world, in order to win the world, and it renders a stark contrast to Paul restricting his freedom in Christ, to avoid the appearance of sin and rejection of the gospel.

A Time of Wandering and Loss

Why would I stay for years in a church which I believed had left the narrow path?

It was simple. It was painful, anguishing, and simple: my husband went there.

I take it quite seriously that the man has authority to make the spiritual decisions for his family.  Though when we first married, I thought it might kill me, used as I was to making my own decisions about everything.  But God is gracious, and His ways are far above our own, and infinitely better!

I gnashed my teeth, stomped my foot, and almost chewed the flesh from my own arm in frustration.  Why would he wait?   God had many lessons for me, before I was ready to move on. Where was my perseverance?  Where was my faith that God would guide my husband?  Where was my trust in my husband that he was able to hear from God and obey?  There were so many things to learn in that very difficult period.  I learned almost nothing of value from the teaching of the church, but I learned (oh how slowly!) the many areas of my own life that were sorely lacking Godliness.

Because I chose not to be involved in the many programs in the church, and because I spoke up when I believed what was being taught was heresy, there was a resultant cooling of many valued friendships and family relationships.  I needed to learn what was the basis for my faith – and would it be moved by the disapproval of my closest friends and the loss of family?  I needed to learn what my role was in the church, and which battles were mine to fight, and which should only be addressed by my husband.

My husband, ever patient and wise man that he is, gave me a word of advice one evening after I had been decrying the state of the church most passionately.  Ordinarily, it would strike me as very condescending, but there was so much truth, and it was such a sensible idea, and I was so amazed that I didn’t think of it myself, that it quite shocked me into accepting it.  Want to hear it?

While you are in this situation, be the best Christian you can be.

That’s it?  Yes, that’s just what I needed to hear.  I needed to “seek first the kingdom of God”.  When we are surrounded by teachings and practices that seem to tear at the very fabric of Christianity, our response should be to seek further after Him.  Some how, adversity doesn’t naturally effect me that way!!  My heart had become hard and   I  needed a reminder, and in this case, it was also a beautiful reminder of why the husband is the head of the union, and why we wait for him to lead and guide the family.  The man just makes sense.

If we had left the church when I first thought we should, chances are we would have wandered in a wilderness of looking for a new home.  At times when he gave in to my tantrums (oh, spiritual woman I am!) we went looking.  It was always disheartening.  Finally, we could not bring ourselves to go back any longer, and simply went  nowhere for a period of about 6 months.

From there, my husband decided to attend a church we had heard about, but not attended before,  and we have been there ever since. At least weekly, and sometimes more often, it comes up in our family conversation to thank God for that church.  We do not align ourselves with their thinking on all issues and doctrines, but the heart of the people are to be separate, a people of God, declaring His mighty works.  This is enough for us.

While I would not want to live through again that period of anguish, I thank God that he left me there for the time that was necessary to teach me things I would not have learned, had life been more pleasant.

While your story may not be the same as mine, my friend, may I recommend to you to trust your husband to decide what is best for the family, supporting him in prayer for his leadership position, and asking God for the grace to learn all you can from your time of difficulty.

Arising from a conversation on a post on Politics or Religion?