Blog Layout

Gray Areas 3

Austin Gardner • September 3, 2023


Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.


This truth is the central truth in the series. The other believer is not your servant. He doesn't belong to you. You have no authority or power over him. I think that somewhere along the way, people began to believe that the church in Rome could tell other churches what to do.


None of us believe that. We know that each church is independent of any outside authority. Then pastors began to think they had the right to decide for their church members.


Like the Pharisees, we built "a fence around the law" to ensure no one sinned. Soon, we became a group of critical judges walking around, ensuring everyone did things like we did.


"They don't need to read the Bible and ask God what to do. They do not need to seek the Lord. They need to ask me. We never intended to think or act like this, but look at us now."


No one means for it to come out like that. In practice, it ends up being just a spirit in our churches because they do what the pastor says while looking, but they don't always do what the pastor thinks when he isn't watching.

Wouldn't it be better if God's people would seek out the Lord and His will, and then they would do it all the time because God would convince them?


Now I know what the more spiritual are thinking. I know because I have already been there. You are right, but people do better when God teaches them. I want them to live holy lives, too.


The way I do things is the best, or I wouldn't be doing it that way. But that isn't the determining factor. If you tell them what to do and live critically, they will not mature to do what He wants.


He began the good work in them. Philippians 1:6.


He has predestined them to be conformed to the image of His Son Romans 8:29.


Can we trust God to get people to where they should be? We should still preach to them what the Bible says. We should still show them but leave it to God to change them. We are not the Holy Spirit, and they are not our servants.

Paul left room here for liberty to decide. He gives guidelines but accepts both. What do you think?


By Austin Gardner June 12, 2024
A wonderful historical story that will teach us a great deal. 
By Austin Gardner June 11, 2024
Maximizing Growth, Overcoming Limits, and Achieving Excellence Through Effective Coaching 
By Austin Gardner June 10, 2024
We need policies and control mechanisms but must learn not to rely on them exclusively. They undermine the very essence of a thriving workplace.
By Austin Gardner June 9, 2024
Navigating the World with an Open Heart and a Servant's Spirit 
By Austin Gardner June 8, 2024
Your friends have left you. All earthly possessions are gone. Those you thought love you want you dead. What do you do? 
By Austin Gardner June 7, 2024
Appreciating Your Past, Present, and Future 
By Austin Gardner June 6, 2024
Starting in Mexico and continuing till today 
By Austin Gardner June 5, 2024
Gratitude, a sentiment often tucked away in the recesses of our hearts, possesses the transformative power to enrich not only our lives but also the lives of those around us.
By Austin Gardner June 4, 2024
In January of 1987 Betty, the kids, and I arrived in Querétaro, Mexico to study Spanish. I literally didn’t know ten words. I am forever indebted to Georgia, Hermana Luisa, Webb for the language institute she ran for many years. She was strict. She pushed hard. Betty cried on more than one occasion. Without the challenge I know that I never would have learned the language. The language school gave me structure, discipline, help learning what to do next. Read the rest of the letter then go watch this video the BBF did of Miss Webb. When you get this letter, Lord willing, Betty and I will be in Mexico and we will be visiting this wonderful godly lady. I thought of this lady often over the years. I remembered how hard she had been on me. I remembered being tortured it seemed but I survived Hermana Luisa and she made me a thriving missionary.  Thank you Hermana Luisa for helping a red neck Tennessee hillbilly learn enough Spanish to do some ministry. God bless you. So know that language school might be very beneficial for you. Efficient Resource Utilization: Organized lesson plans and materials ensure learners make the most of their study time, covering essential language elements in a coherent manner. Clear Learning Objectives: Well-organized courses outline clear learning objectives, helping learners understand what to expect and what is expected of them. Resource Accessibility: Organized language schools provide learners with easy access to a variety of resources, including textbooks, multimedia materials, and language software.
Georgia Webb, Queretaro, Mexico
By Austin Gardner April 12, 2024
Austin Gardner believes hearing about Georgia Webb will bless you. How does Georgia Webb's legacy inspire missionaries today? Explore her impact on global missions and find your place in God's plan. Tune in! #MissionsLegacy #EmpowerEvangelism #FaithJourney
More Posts
Share by: