Maintaining a balance is essential for stability and progress in any sphere of life. Imbalanced walk could result in a fall. Even when we stand there is a balance to be kept. Balanced diet is necessary for a healthy body. Many natural calamities are often attributed to the imbalanced ecological condition.
          To attain success the Lord told Joshua, “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.” Joshua.1:7 Notice the warning “do not turn from it to the right or to the left”.
          It is a human tendency to go to extremes. Some one has well said, “Extremes are always in the gutter.” In any sphere of life: social, political or religious, taking one side and neglecting another is dangerous. Most of the violence today is the result of extremism. Seeing every thing in a balanced manner is imperative for smooth life in any area of life.
          Through out the church history we had many who were so passionate on one particular truth and went to the extreme. The result was gradually they ended up in some form of wrong teaching.
          For example, over emphasizing the love God, and ignoring the wrath of God. Some are obsessed by the love of God but unwilling to acknowledge the wrath of God. They can’t see a God who punishes. They only see a God who loves, cares and blesses. That is only one side of the truth.
          Both are Biblical truths that we need to hold on to. In fact it is in the background of God’s wrath that we fully appreciate the love of God. On the cross we see both marvelously demonstrated. In His everlasting love God allowed His only begotten son to bear His wrath and die as an atoning sacrifice.
          There are many more examples that we can consider. Faith vs works, divine election vs human responsibility, perfection vs inherent sin nature are some topics that many have stumbled at.
          Some Christians think it is unscriptural to eat nutritious food, because they think it satisfying lust of the flesh! For them, making use of modern technology is love of the world! Some others even advice new believers to abandon parents to be a true disciple of Christ. There is another group of Christians whose argument is that it was the fall of man that necessitated a covering for man, now sin question is settled and no more covering is needed!
          Extreme, imbalanced teachings claimed to be based on the word of God are plenty. Even sincere, godly believers have gone too much on one side and the very truth which is supposed to liberate, became a snare. At the same time some others in their effort to be moderate and progressive took another side.
          It is sad to notice that some Christians who are universally known for their sound doctrine and profound teaching are now advocating for taking “U” turn to extreme liberalism. Few goes to one extreme and become too much narrow minded, another group goes to the other extreme and become too much open—minded! Both the conditions are not ideal but harmful for individual life as well as the Church.
          Let us base our doctrine and practice on the basis of the word of God in its entirety. Let the entire revelation –the word of God—be our guide. There won’t be any harm in abandoning certain man made practices. But if it is a practice or a teaching that is according to the word of God, for the sake of popularity and progressivism never compromise it. Be balanced, not to the left, nor to the right.

NTK

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Out line:-

Saints of New Testament Time

- showing varied spiritual conditions.

1. Believing Romans. Rom.1:8
2. Progressive Thessalonians. 2 Thess.1:3
3. Obedient Philippians. Phil.2.12
4. Loving Colossians. Colo.1:4
5. Faithful Ephesians. Eph.1:1
6. Carnal Corinthians. 1Cor.3:3
7. Foolish Galatians. Gal.3:1

        - What about you?

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Anecdote: -

It Must be applied

        A soap manufacturer was talking with a Christian. Said the soap maker, “The Gospel you preach hasn’t done much good, for there’s still a lot of wickedness and wicked people.”
        The Christian made no immediate reply, but they soon passed a child making mud pies. He was exceedingly dirty. It was then the Christian’s turn and so he said “Soap has not done much good in the world, I see for there is still much dirt and dirty people.”
        “Oh, well”, answered the manufacturer, “soap is useful only when it is applied.” “Exactly”, was the Christian’s reply. “So it is with the Gospel we proclaim.”
        The message of the Gospel indeed the greatest message this world has ever known. It is God’s own message proclaiming salvation freely to every sinner who comes to Him thorough Christ.
        However, the salvation from sin that the gospel brings will never be yours until you believe for yourself.

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A Special Report: : -

IBCM 4 Germany

  Fourth International Brethren Conference on Missions was held in Wiedenest, Near Cologne, Germany from June 25 to July 1. Around 400 Brethren believers and leaders from more than 80 countries around the world participated in this seven days get together at the beautiful campsite of Missionshaus Bibleschule Wiedenest. It was the culmination of the years of preparation by the International Planning Committee.
      As reported earlier, the first IBCM conference was held in Singapore in 1993 as a result of discussion at the Lausanne 2 conference in Manila in 1989 and at a seminar at Regent College Vancouver in 1990. Second was held at Rome in 1996 and third in Romania in 2003.
Some of the objectives of the conference were:
• To bring together national leaders of brethren movement from across the world for spiritual reflection, fellowship, and renewed experience of the Lord.
• To strengthen informal networking and partnership.
• To encourage younger leaders, particularly from emerging countries, to learn about each other's work, challenges and opportunities.
• To share ideas and methods to help churches to be effective in their mission for Christ.
The theme of the conference was “All things to all by all means TO WIN SOME”. Apart from the messages based on the theme many papers were presented related to the theme. Also there was time to discuss on various contemporary issues during the workshop hour.
      Due to time limitation only few countries could share a report on the ministry going on their land. Most of them could successfully narrate the present Brethren Assembly work in that particular country. It was heartening to know that the Brethren Assembly work in many lands is growing from Strength to strength.
      Bible readings on cross cultural evangelism were very fruitful. Strategic addresses on reaching out to the different cultures and post modern, secular societies were also very informative and challenging. The emphasis was that the Brethren always gave priority for missions but it is essential to broaden our view of evangelism in the present generation and understand them well.
      From the papers presented and the workshop discussions it seems the Brethren all over the world face the same issues and they earnestly desire to find some changes. Many solutions were discussed. Some of the suggestions put forward through messages, reports and workshops are noteworthy.
      Even some were advocating for the abandonment of some of the ‘Brethren distinctives”! It seems their argument is ‘to win some, some how’, be ready to forsake the values, practices, or doctrines that the brethren hold dearly. Some of the books sold in the conference also suggested such ideas.
      There were few participants who took a note of it and clearly spoke of the need to hold on to the New Testament Church principles that our forefathers taught us. It seems it is high time to high light the unique teachings that make Brethren Assemblies different from other church groups. It is encouraging to notice that there are many in various countries, who are eager to make a study of the Assembly distinctives and stick on to it.
      The exhibition area helped the participants to display the work of their respective country effectively. That gave the participants as well as the local believers to have a glimpse of the ministry that are going on various lands.
      There was enough free time for the brethren to meet and have fellowship together. Participants used that time effectively. Every one was exited too see one another from various foreign lands. Some of the countries were not even heard of! Few of them were seen standing near by a huge world map to point out the location of their country. Also there was opportunity for arranging regional meetings. Many participants from various countries or region used that facility to have their own meeting away from their country or region.
      The organizers and the host at Wiedenest deserve much appreciation. All the arrangements were well planned and perfectly executed. Simultaneous translations made available in some 6 –7 languages helped those who did not know English. Access free internet facility full time helped many delegates for easy communication.
      The Bible school students and the volunteers did a commendable job in serving the delegates through out the conference. The CD’s with all the materials of the conference will be of great use for future reference and study.
      The neighboring assemblies took many participants to their assemblies on Sunday for worship and gave opportunity to minister the word.
      It was truly a foretaste of heaven, saints from every land, language and tribe, praising and worshiping the Lord together. Where there was no distinction or discrimination over the color or language. No doubt, the participants will cherish the memories of Wiedenest for many years to come.

NTK