You know, God says that He reproves and disciplines the ones whom He loves. He says it in Psalms 94:12 Hebrews 12:6, and He says it in Revelation 3:19. Sometimes in the discipline process, we must first be confronted by whatever it is we are doing that may be in error. I want to be the first to admit, that I have often been confronted by people, or by the word, and told the what I was doing was in error, and I am very grateful for that. It gives me a chance to repent and experience forgiveness, and the ability to be made right with the Lord, and others. Now, Sometimes it is the message that offends and sometimes it is the messenger that offends. I received some feedback from last weeks message asking if I was attacking particular practices. So, for the record, let me say I was not attacking any particular practice that people may participate in.
What I was attacking is the tendency that we all have to place more emphasis on particular practices than we should. Let me explain:
Principle
Practice

Your convictions must lead to a change of practice, but unless it is explicitly prescribed in scripture, you must not judge other’s relationship with Jesus based on their practice. Bonhoeffer bio…

Look for a second at Luke 18:9-14
The Pharisee Gave God the credit for his good works, he had the right theology about his works,
The Tax collector was humble, and asked for mercy.

ok, Lets read Exodus 32:21-35

I want to say this passage is a tough one to hear, and to try to understand.
Two things I want to draw from this story: 1. Leadership matters 2. There are people throughout scripture who have experienced God’s blessings and His goodness, and still rejected Him.

Leadership Matters: Aaron caved to the people, and then tried to save face. This is a giant temptation for leaders. 
James 3:1 Says that teachers/leaders will be judged with greater strictness
Hebrews 13:17 says to obey your leaders, because they keep watch over your souls as those who will have to give an account. 
Aaron Was given watch over the people, and failed, and when he was called to give an account, he really failed.
There are people throughout Scripture who had experienced the blessings and love of God, and yet will not inherit eternal life.
Matthew 3:11-12
Matthew 13:24-30 Explanation 36-43
Matthew 7:21-23
Korah’s Rebellion: Numbers 16

They experienced the Miracles, they ate the manna, they drank from the rock. They probably praised His name in the assembly, and sang the songs in worship. Judas saw all the miracles that Jesus performed, He heard Jesus’ teaching first hand, he saw dead people raised, and yet his god was money. 

The distinguishing factor between people who have a relationship with Jesus and idolators is that True Christians worship Jesus and idolators use Jesus to worship their Idols.

“Christ did not die to forgive sinners who go on treasuring anything above seeing and savoring God. And people who would be happy in heaven if Christ were not there, will not be there. The gospel is not a way to get people to heaven; it is a way to get people to God. It’s a way of overcoming every obstacle to everlasting joy in God. If we don’t want God above all things, we have not been converted by the gospel.”
― John Piper, God Is the Gospel: Meditations on God’s Love as the Gift of Himself