It's that verse 3 that has bothered me in every "assembly of believers" I've visited/attended the past (pert near) 50 years.
Because, it seems in order to "go along to get along" with ones' "steeped" in the "tradition" of the Great
Commission have made void what it means, and what it takes and is required in the building of ones' (own) Spiritual House!
And in doing so, have "watered down" the "deeper" things of the Good News, to the point where Christendom in general has been made into a laughing stock!
It's like they feel like, and are correct inasmuch as being "called." And then going forward/s in one's own (and more times then not) interpretation of just what and where this interpretation goes! (think different denominations......over the millennia)
How many times and from how many pastors/preachers/teachers have you heard about their being "called?"
Yet? Should and/or when "things go south?" All of a sudden? They "hear" a different "call."
And how many times did our Lord and Saviour state: "Many are "called"....."FEW are "Chosen!"
Isaiah 28 comes to mind......
Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!
7 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.
9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to UNDERSTAND doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
12 To whom he (they) said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
13 But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
(my addition added here)
THIS is the "how/why and/when) their traditions have CEASED being those "lively stones" in the building of BETHEL (house of God/spiritual house)!
Because?
15 (Because) ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
(my addition/interpretation of "my experience")
This is the "way it felt" When He came as a "thief in the night")
18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.
20 For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.
Funny (Sad actually) how those that don't learn from "HIS-Story", are "Fated/Condemned/(yea)/Required" to repeat it?
26 For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him.
29 This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.
This is ALSO in Christ Jesus our Lord AND (JEHOVAH'S) Saviour!
And it is WHEN one keeps pursuing the "High Calling of GOD IN, and ONTO "He who sits on His Throne?"
Is where and when spiritual discernment is gained as well as (the) UNDERSTANDING of this "Government" of the Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Light, that MESSIAH holds up on His shoulders is given!
ALL the Disciples of Jesus "KNEW" this and gave proper homage in their own testimonies as recorded in their written record!
Christendom and beleivers and assemblies of believers' these days?
....Um!.....Not so much!