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Q&A-Why Consider the CGI? Question: While I might agree with much of your teachings your past leaders had real character issues and yet your Church of God movement seems incredibly arrogant at times, so why should I consider your church any further? Answer: The CGI was founded by many people who did not agree with the "One True Church" approach (found in many other Churches of God, Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah Witnesses and the like) or that any leader was the pope as we already have a High Priest and King in Jesus. This approach usually leads to a position of arrogance. Yes our leaders have been flawed individuals and so am I. It is
amazing how God demonstrates in the Bible that he has worked through so
many flawed individuals. At times though he discontinued to work through
them because they became too full of themselves instead of submitting to
God. We will correct any leader or member who sins or states that sin is
okay but for someone who falls we seek to encourage them in repentance
and in overcoming. The physical penalties for there sins will still come
in this world but there restoration for those who acknowledge there sin
is what we pursue. We did deal appropriately with a known leader who
sinned and was not willing to take correction. The direction at the end of Titus is Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. This is not descriptive of people needing to send trash around on others (gossips) nor is reflective of an arrogant people looking down on others but people trying to help. Jesus and the Apostles were only aggressive with people they thought were obvious hypocrits, with sincere people they helped and taught those they could. They were responsible for those who were in there realm. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. Notice the lack of arrogance because we have been foolish and needed a Saviour too. I like to reflect on this as finding yourself saved from the ocean and then turning to look back on the others drowning with disgust and arrogance as opposed to compassionately going about helping them as you are able and have opportunity. I agree that arrogance in proclaiming the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus is ridiculous but we strive to not be that way although our confidence in what we believe may unfortunately seem arrogant at times. But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. (This is what separates most people in the Church of God independent movement - not heresy, but foolish disputes, yet I am responsible for my behaviour and for the church that I serve and generally I strive to be an example outside of that realm but I have no responsibility to judge. While some people in the Church of God movement may seem to prefer that you blast others instead of deal with the problems within I can assure you that the Church of God International in Canada is not of that persuasion in the least. People often get annoyed with me because I wish to discourage theories, foolish genealogies and encourage being careful to maintain good works. They often feel their theories are the good works not realizing it is really just arrogance. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned. And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. I believe many in the protestant movement may say to Jesus, "look what I did for you, I kept the Sabbath, I healed someone" yet the response may be "get away from me I hate your Sabbaths, Holy Days and Sacrifices for your heart was far from me." That doesn't mean there is anything wrong in keeping God's Sabbath but that God doesn't want our liturgical practices or works He wants our hearts to be humble, bowing to authority and our minds and deeds to be loving - which would be in accordance with the Commandments. Unfortunately it takes all of us striving to pull together in support of one another to encourage and grow the good but too often when we see the failings of some we split into smaller and smaller groups and become an authority unto ourselves. We aren't perfect - no group of people are - but we are striving to overcome and help others to be disciples of Jesus the Christ. We have no membership cards and usually do not proclaim ourselves as the One True Church (I correct any who do privately) but strive to act as if we are a part of the Body of Christ. Maybe we want to be able to proclaim the gospel of Jesus with the
charisma of a Billy Graham or a GTA, maybe we want to sing like the
Mormon Tabernacle Choir or assist like the Salvation Army or Mennonite
Relief Fund but in the end we can only do what God has given us the
ability and opportunity to do. It is good that our hearts want to do
more but I have learned that God truly loves me, "Just As I Am". Just as
I truly love my children, each of which has different abilities, and in
life will have different opportunities, but I just want them to do the
best they can with what they have and be content and thankful for that. What a wonderful world God promises us - to live in a world that
really will follow the 10 commandments, therefore a world without
selfishness and arrogance. I long for that and hope that God may be
merciful enough to me that I obtain such a wonderful inheritance. And if that is your heart may you feel at home with us, your family because we really have a great Father and Friend! |
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