Craig Posted April 27, 2013 Report Share Posted April 27, 2013 Q5. (1 Timothy 6:20-21) How can we guard the faith without becoming narrow, backward-looking people who oppose all change, and complain about "what things are coming to"? How can guards be at the same time positive, loving, and pleasant to be around? I don't believe guarding the doctrines of the faith can ever be narrow or backward. Truth is truth. God's truth applies to all generations and is contemporary to each generation. It is a matter of staying faithful to the Word of God. Not compromising with the world is not narrow or backward-looking. Change mentioned in the question is a broad idea. It needs to be better defined as to what change? Are we talking about homosexual priests, same sex marriage, the nature of Jesus the Christ, etc. This is too board to answer correctly. The bottom line is the believer maintains the truth of the gospel with love and patience. But, the believer stays the apostolic course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wifee Posted September 11, 2013 Report Share Posted September 11, 2013 5a)We can guard the faith we have by seeking to grow in our lives with Christ. By humbly,naturally speaking of our hope in Jesus,forgiveness received and the difference He has made in our lives.Staying in the Word&in prayer. Accepting change when it comes,joyfully trusting the Lord. Friendship evangelism through loving actions that give,care,softening hearts of others& sharing truth with them. Being alert to see scripture is preached accurately..A living active faith,is positive,joyful and loving. Galatians 5:22, By the fruit in us will produce and show that the Holy Spirit is in control of our lives . Love, joy, peace, paitence, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, and their is no conflict with being plesent to be around when the Sweet Sweet Spirit of God is in control all and everything about Him is positive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Edwards Posted November 1, 2023 Report Share Posted November 1, 2023 Faith and patience are necessary for the man of God to obtain salvation. We remain Orthodox, yet we are patient and meek in our replies to inquirers' questions. Like Christ, we speak and defend our faith with in a loving fashion. We represent Christ the Lamb of God who was kind to those who were not kind to Him. St.Paul reiterates how important that we adorn the Gospel; we are living Epistles to the world. So the way we conduct ourselves is very important; we kindly and thoughtfully give reasons for our Faith. We are like the tribe of Issachar who "knew the signs of the times". The gifts of the Holy Spirit, gifts of Wisdom and Knowledge, will help to demolish everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krissi Posted February 3 Report Share Posted February 3 Could it be that being loving and positive, when possible, guards the faith? The verses from the section, though, have to do with fighting, taking hold, keeping command, being blameless ... all difficult and sometimes contentious. Perhaps God wants us to not care about what others think, but only focus our attention and mind on serving and being like Him. If we're pleasant to be around, that's wonderful -- if we're battling and contentious, well, that may be God's will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Gracie L. Adderly Posted February 10 Report Share Posted February 10 Stay in tuned with the Holy Spirit. All of Him, less of you. It's all about lifting up Jesus, not man. Though change comes with every generation, God's word does not change. (Example:) If my objective's to win souls, and my target group do not speak English - then, I might have to learn a little of their language. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicolaas A.P. Mostert Posted February 11 Report Share Posted February 11 Q5. (1 Timothy 6:20-21) How can we guard the faith without becoming narrow, backward-looking people who oppose all change, and complain about "what things are coming to"? Faith is a sacred trust that we have received from GOD, that means GOD has entrusted us with it and we have to guard it. We cannot tamper with it, but must pass it on pure and unadulterated. How can guards be at the same time positive, loving, and pleasant to be around? We must hold to the sure word that we have received, the Gospel, as taught by Christ and his apostles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diane D. Posted February 12 Report Share Posted February 12 How do we guard the faith...? Continue to learn and broaden your knowledge of the scriptures (they are alive and no one can fully know all of them completely). If you are balanced in your knowledge of them, then it will be impossible to be narrow minded because they contain and support grander themes of God, His kingdom, Jesus' mission and successful completion and our places within the kingdom in eternity to come. There may be small dissension over the finer points (which are usually based on man's view of the scriptures but not the scriptures themselves. We are also to guard by gently correcting those ideas which are contrary to the scriptures and standing firm on what is said and not said so others are also not misdirected. Finally we are to remember that we are to spread the knowledge and show ourselves as worthy ambassadors but we are not to overstep our roles to force conversion or alignment. We can raise the interest of non-believers but leave the Holy Spirit to do His work to continually nudge them to a decision for Christ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clelie Posted February 15 Report Share Posted February 15 We must guard our faith not in a legalistic way but to make the faith alive in our life Guards with a positive mindset have a joyful and peaceful attitude in their responsibility Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldress Rowe Posted February 16 Report Share Posted February 16 To guard our faith with becoming narrow, backward looking people who oppose all changes and complain about what things are coming to we should keep what we have learned pure and uncorrupt, and diligently preserved that it may continue to be genuine with adulteration or taken away by false teachers. It should be used, stirred up and cultivated but never neglected. We should hold fast to sound, wholesome word, the words of the Lord Jesus Christ and those which the Holy Spirit teaches. Guard can be positive, loving and pleasant to be around if they are true and and shared with the love of God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted February 17 Report Share Posted February 17 Q5. (1 Timothy 6:20-21) How can we guard the faith without becoming narrow, backward-looking people who oppose all change, and complain about "what things are coming to"? How can guards be at the same time positive, loving, and pleasant to be around? A5. We can guard the faith without becoming narrow, backward-looking people by ensuring that we are wholly led only by the Holy Spirit of God. He would be the one to guide us towards making decisions on whatever is right and from God. We can be guards that watch over the things of the Lord’s Kingdom such as the truth of the Word, the principles and the way of the Lord and still be people that are Christ-like in loving but firm in his principles and truths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zanele Tlhakanelo Posted February 17 Report Share Posted February 17 We must guard our faith by trusting in the One, True God, the Creator of Heaven and earth and all that is in it. Things come and go but the Word of God says "Heaven and earth will pass away but my Word will remain." It is important as children of God to be focused on Him and not be swayed by all that is happening around us. Guards are vigilant and we are called to be Kingdom Shakers that stand for the truth and not be afraid to preach Christ resurrected. If we do not compromise the Gospel but tell it as God has purposed it to be preached in the whole world, we will be guards that are positive, loving and pleasant because we will not be moved by what is happening around us at the moment but our eyes will be fixed on Jesus Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 Q5. In order to guard our faith we must know and continue to study God’s word. When we are sure of our own position in God’s family it makes it easier to stand up and be counted. We must concentrate on growing closer to God as we do this the fruit of the spirit will become evident in our lives. We will know how we must live… and if people judge us as being narrow or old fashioned, that is their wrong perspective of the world. However we must at all times be mannerly, polite, willing to discuss our differences with calmness and dignity. If we are walking in God’s footsteps, we will be positive, loving and pleasant to be around. Even if someone is saying we are narrow minded and antiquated in our ideas, we must still treat them as we would anyone else, no matter what has been said about us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t-c Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 Q5. (1 Timothy 6:20-21) How can we guard the faith without becoming narrow, backward-looking people who oppose all change, and complain about "what things are coming to"? How can guards be at the same time positive, loving, and pleasant to be around? I think Paul said it well when he told Timothy to guard what has been I entrusted to you. Timothy was equipped with the Sword of the Spirit, (the Word of God) the truth. Paul was telling him to revere, to trust in, rely upon and cling to Jesus, the word made flesh. To keep repeating the words of truth trusting that they will accomplish their goal and not return void. And on the flip side, not engaging with those whose arguments are foolish at best, knowing that if you do engage with them, you join them in their foolishness. I think that guards can be positive, loving and pleasant to be around because they love the Lord God and love their neighbors as there selves. They carry God’s precious words of salvation and eternal life. They have the good news of abundant life in Jesus Christ. It won’t fail them. Grace be with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niyonka16 Posted February 20 Report Share Posted February 20 Q5. (1 Timothy 6:20-21) How can we guard the faith without becoming narrow, backward-looking people who oppose all change, and complain about “what things are coming to”? ANSWER: We are to guard what has been entrusted to our care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith. How can guards be at the same time positive, loving, and pleasant to be around? ANSWER: Remaining true to your faith may feel all but impossible when it's absent from so many elements of daily life. You must find a way of reconnecting with your faith and incorporating it into your daily routine. Living out your faith isn't easy, but it's far from impossible. With a little commitment and a lot of grace, you can cultivate a strong spiritual connection to guide you through the challenges of the modern world. One of the most important aspects of the Christian life, is to guard our hearts, because the status of our hearts affects who we are, how we feel, what we do and how we live. Guarding our hearts from a scriptural perspective means for us to be alert, through the power of Christ within us, to what enters and dwells in our hearts. We need to be aware of what we say and do, because over time, our thoughts and actions shape the status of our hearts. Biblically guarding our hearts is founded on consistent communication with our Lord for direction, conviction and peace. Guarding our hearts with Scripture helps keep our faith on track, but the walls we erect to keep people out or protect our emotions can become walls which keep us bound in insecurity, fear, unhappiness and loneliness. God created us for companionship and love. He wants us to live free, full of joy and with peace in our hearts. All of those gifts are available through Him, no matter what we’ve been through or what lies ahead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Edwards Posted February 22 Report Share Posted February 22 We avoid empty and worldly chatter. We also don't get heavily involved with the gain Sayers who just want to get on their "hobby horses" and promote their agendas. They are not teachable, nor will they accept godly counsel. Yet we cheerfully give the reasons for our Orthodox faith in a spirit of kindness, humility and enthusiasm. We reply with God's authoritative Holy Bible for the doctrines we teach. We are not arrogant, but we have attitudes of love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sister Evelyn Posted February 25 Report Share Posted February 25 Q5. (1 Timothy 6:20-21) How can we guard the faith without becoming narrow, backward-looking people who oppose all change, and complain about what things are coming to? How can guards be at the same time positive, loving, and pleasant to be around? Paul writing to Timothy also apples to us today. Guard what has been entrusted to your care turning away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in doing so have wandered from the Faith. WE are to guard what has been entrusted to our care. Sacred trust- God's message and teaching that we have received by Pastors and leaders who speak Biblical truth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Jerry Posted February 29 Report Share Posted February 29 We need to guard the faith but we need to become narrow, backward-looking people who oppose changes that start limiting God. We have kicked God out of our schools, our government and made rules to kill our babies. I think it is all because we did not become narrow minded people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted March 5 Report Share Posted March 5 Q5. (1 TIMOTHY 6:20-21) How can we guard the faith without becoming narrow, backward-looking people who oppose all change, and complain about "what things are coming to"? How can guards be at the same time positive, loving, and pleasant to be around? If we remain faithful to the Word of God, I cannot see us ever becoming narrow-minded, backward-looking, opposing change, and complaining people. The truth is the truth, no matter what. Today, more than ever the Christian truth is under attack; we encounter daily opposition to the truth of God’s Word - we must be wide awake and ready to guard it at all cost. At the same time, we are to watch out for being led astray by so called new ideas. Some of which are falsely called knowledge, or so-called intellectualism, rationalism, modernism, liberalism, and every other “ism” which disregards or waters down Christ. There will be subtle inroads of error. We are to reject anything that is against the truth as garbage. To remain positive, loving, and pleasant is not always that easy. I live in a country rife with corruption and amongst the highest crime rate in the world. It is so easy to become negative about what is happening to our people. The only way to counter all this negativism is to put our trust in God. Knowing that God is sovereign we put our trust in His promises, His faithfulness, His goodness, and His mercy, amongst many other. We serve a mighty God!! With the help of the Holy Spirit, I’m reminded to see life from an eternal perspective. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21), reminds me that the object of this life is to love, worship, and serve our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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