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"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:3-4Throughout the history of the Church there have been people who refuse to accept the authority of scripture. Paul warned that this would occur. We live in a time right now when the number of people who compromise the word of God is increasing, even among professing Christians. They look for teachers who will say the things they want to hear and support their personal views rather than God's views. Sadly, there is an increasing number of churches with pastors who are happy to oblige.
It comes down to this: we either accept that the entire Bible is the inspired (the supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit on the Bible’s writers, which guaranteed that what they wrote was accurate and trustworthy), inerrant word of God, or we don't. We can't choose to believe some verses and reject others. If we insist on doing this we will never have a complete picture of who God is. Yes, God is a God of love. He is love, "Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."(1 John 4:8). And He is also a God of judgment, “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31). In John 17:17 Jesus says, "Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth." God's word is truth. All of it.
It's important that we remain humble and teachable. If our pastor is preaching from the Bible, there should be times when we are convicted by the truth. And if so, hopefully, this will lead to repentance and transformation. Personally, I want my pastor to challenge me to grow in my walk with Jesus. If he preaches anything that makes me feel good while living in sin, then that's not the church for me. I hope you feel the same.
"Men do not reject the Bible because it contradicts itself but because it contradicts them." E. Paul Hovey
Today's music video Make My Life A Prayer to You by Keith Green. This song was written by his wife, Melody. I hope it inspires you, as it has me.
I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.
I had just finished reading 1st Corinthians 3:10-13 where Paul talks about building upon the foundation of Christ with gold, silver and precious stones or with wood, hay and straw.
ReplyDeleteThe strong materials being sound Bible doctrine like the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and holy living and the weak materials being unsound, good feeling, non-demanding doctrine.
Then I read in your post " if he preaches anything that makes me feel good while living in sin, then that's not the church for me", this is so profound, timely and sound. Thank you again for your Monday encouragements and God bless you sweet sister for being bold and non-bending.
I love you and hold you up in prayer.
I am thankful to attend a church where the gospel is preached every time the doors open! There is definitely no compromise or cultural influence. It's good to feel challenged, and convicted when necessary. Encouraging our pastors, I think, is really important too.
ReplyDelete"...there should be times when we are convicted by the truth."
ReplyDeletePowerful and true!
Such good encouragement, Nancy!
ReplyDeleteDeanna Rabe