KNOWING WHEN TO YIELD
By Ken Blue
“Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.” Acts 16:3.
When one reads all that Paul had to say about circumcision, the above verse should shock him back into reality and give him a backbone that has the ability to bend. If we compare this verse with those in Romans and Galatians, we are hard pressed to reconcile them, but it can be done.
Dogmatism causes one to be unclear about what is important and what is most important. It was important to Paul that circumcision not be added to the gospel for salvation. But if circumcision would open the door so he could give the plan of salvation, he would do it.
The question is: what will your religion allow you to do? What traditions, standards, and assumptions would you disregard in order to open the door of salvation to others? Paul knew when to stand and when to yield. Do you?
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.
Well Pastor,
These questions are some of the biggest questions I have been struggling with for the last several years. It would be so much easier if you just answered them for me and I could just move on, but I suppose that is not the way God wants it. As we plant the church here in Arizona, these are the questions I deal with all the time. It is funny though as I notice that a lot of my friends in the ministry do not life the answers I find for these questions, it makes life lonely at times. By the way Pastor, I wanted to let you know we had exactly 60 in church yesterday. God is really blessing.
Brother Joel, there is no answer to most ministry questions. No matter what choices you make, some will disapprove. My advice is to forget about what the brethren think and build your church. A very wise man said to me, “Brother Blue, the brethren do not build your church. You and your people do that.” The best thing is to win young couples to the Lord who have not been corrupted by some other pastor and then they will follow you. My greatest disappointments in the ministry have come from pastors who cut fellowship and destroyed my relationship with many through their gossip. So, put the ear plugs in and the blinders on and build a church for the glory of God. You are not accountable to any of the brethren, and if you need their approval, you are in big trouble.
Love you