Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohio
This morning a verse from Proverbs jumped out at me ...
The fear of man brings a snare; But whoever puts his trust in the Lord shall be protected. (29.25)
The Recovery hierarchy is maintained by the "fear of man." Their semblance of oneness is perpetuated by the "fear of man." The teaching of deputy authority really serves to make the "fear of man" and the "fear of God" indistinguishable to their adherents. But what does the scripture say? "It brings a snare." Both Lee and Chu brought a snare to the Recovery by enforcing and reinforcing the "fear of man" using the teaching of deputy authority coupled with real life displays of false authority.
Those who think they are "safe" by keeping silent and submissive are not safe at all. Instead they become trapped. The fear of man entangles them. Their conscience becomes inoperative. The leader is empowered with license to abuse. The "safe" silence of his adherents enables further abuses. To speak up brings very real dangers. Apparently one is thrusting all safety to the wind, but what does the scripture say? "He who trusts in the Lord will be protected." He will be safe and uplifted by the Lord.
What a lesson this is in the Recovery. Look back at the decades of so-called storms and rebellions. When we get past the slanders and the spins of these leaders, we discover in each case it was men of God in the Recovery fearing God and not man. They refused to be be silent in the "fear of man." They spoke up in truth refusing to be ensnared. Apparently what they did was exceedingly risky, but actually they were safe, putting all their trust in the Lord.
Personally I have the highest regard for brothers like John Ingalls and John Myer who spoke the truth of God at the risk of their financial support (in other words, their monthly paycheck!) They refused to be intimidated and ensnared with the fear of man.
|
Ohio, I am in one accord what you're saying here. I would also ask, do you think God is happy with our silence when we should speak? James 4:17 says "
Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin."
When I was meeting with the Local Churches, my silence is a sin my conscience was convicted of. Since 1990 I have been bothered by the cursing of brothers who leave when they should be blessed, but never spoke up. It's the fear of man; the fear of rejection that encourages silence. Let it be known no man was more rejected than Jesus Christ.
When brothers such as Ingalls and Myers as you've mentioned leave the LC system, as one door closes another door opens for these brothers to continue functioning as ministers of Christ.