Evangelism. Point them to Christ so that they become sheep. The warnings keep them from deluding themselves that they are sheep, even though they've made a profession and are members of the visible body. If I am not thinking and acting like a sheep, it could very well be that I am not one and I need to make sure that I am one. It is this that Peter has in mind of "being *diligent* to making our calling and election sure". This is why we are to "examine ourselves" and "test ourselves" to see whether we are "in the faith". The warnings in Hebrews and James serve that function. God's divinely ordained means of preserving His saints is through our perserverence. Pastor Chad Richard Bresson Clearcreek Chapel Springboro, OH http://breusswane.blogspot.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Fuchs" <SteveF_MS@...> To: <soundofgrace@...> Sent: Monday, March 27, 2006 12:29 AM Subject: Re: [soundofgrace] Acts 6 and deacons > Chad, > > I'm just curious your thoughts. > > What's the point of warning goats? > > Sincerely, > Steve > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Chad Richard Bresson" <breusswane@...> > To: <soundofgrace@...> > Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2006 7:08 PM > Subject: Re: [soundofgrace] Acts 6 and deacons > > >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "H Dorrington" <hjdinfl@...> >> > Oh yes, the passage that tell us that the goats make great teachers! >> > Not. >> > It is rather describing those who are spiritual "babes" in Christ . >> >> I disagree. In giving them the benefit of the doubt, he is still holding >> out the possibility that they are in danger of neglecting their >> salvation. >> What looks like a babe in Christ, if it never grows, is an imposter (Heb. >> 6:6-8 - same thought, same context). If they stay "dull of hearing" will >> "end up being burned" (Heb. 6:8). >> >> The contrasts of the warning passages are almost exclusively, through the >> whole of the NT, between sheep and goats and almost never between >> categories >> of Christians. Those "categories" just don't exist. >> >> Pastor Chad Richard Bresson >> Clearcreek Chapel >> Springboro, OH >> http://breusswane.blogspot.com >> >> -- >> Read the Sound of Grace pages at >> http://www.soundofgrace.com >> >> To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: >> soundofgrace-unsubscribe@... >> >> To view our online archive go to our web page at >> http://www.associate.com/groups/soundofgrace >> >> >> >> > > -- > Read the Sound of Grace pages at > http://www.soundofgrace.com > > To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: > soundofgrace-unsubscribe@... > > To view our online archive go to our web page at > http://www.associate.com/groups/soundofgrace > > >