These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Acts 17:11 NKJV(emphasis mine)I am aware that there are disagreements, between denominations, etc., about inconsequential matters. These, we should not make an issue of. However, when it comes to teachings that exploit members, and give wholly false information, by twisting what the Word of God says, we are expected to bring those into the light. It is every believer's responsibility to maintain the integrity of The Message being taught to all. The only way to do this, is to search out Scripture, and test what is being taught. We must also test Scripture against Scripture, in context.
It does not matter whether numerous learned bible scholars teach the same thing. If it's not doctrinally pure, then it's wrong! If it's wrong, it needs to be corrected. How sad for the state of the entire Body of Christ, that there seem to be more and more learned men and women of faith that cannot fathom being challenged in their interpretation of Scripture. That because they teach the status quo, it is expected that we will just sit back and absorb all that they tell us. Why is it that if anyone else were to give us information that we are not certain about, we will investigate it ourselves, to be sure; but we will not do the same, when it comes to the most important aspect of every believer's life? That is the Word of God, and how to truly follow Him. We challenge and question doctors' diagnoses, getting second and third opinions- investigating the symptoms, etc., in great detail, but we blindly trust our pastors and evangelists with our life's purpose, and His instructions for our lives? Have we forgotten that this was Satan's original method of tempting Eve in the Garden? He twisted what the Lord said, for His own gain, and at the cost of mankind's sinless existence.
For centuries, there has been an issue of the leaders and authorities within the Church (all denominations) twisting the Word of God to suit their purposes, and to exploit the believers in their midst. One of the most prevalent, seems to be the teachings that line the pockets of those that minister to us. Church authority has been shown time and time again, to be prone to greed and abuse of power. And we make it easy for them, because we're too undisciplined to read the Bible for ourselves, and too insecure about our own ability to understand the Word of God sufficiently to challenge what they teach. This is no one's fault, but our own! When will we learn that no man is more or less able to listen and heed the Word of God? We all have the Holy Spirit within us, to guide us in His will. Seminary graduation does not make a man, or woman, infallible in Bible interpretation! The only way to KNOW the Word of God is to read it, understand it, and allow God to show it to us. That is not possible, when we rely wholly on others to feed it to us.
We, here in the West, have become a society of part-time Christians. We go to a building full of people on Sundays, and listen to someone tell us what the Word says, and then we go home and live out our lives. We talk the talk, but we don't walk the Walk. We are shallow and superficial in our growth. We have become complacent, and we're okay with that! Listen up, people, it's not OK! The Bible tells us that we are to write the Words of the Lord upon our hearts, and to talk of them throughout the day. How can we do that, if we only parrot what others tell us? The Lord has seen fit to give us ALL the chance to know His Word for ourselves. Here in the West, we have no excuse that warrants not knowing the Word of God. Bibles are in large supply, and in our own language...what more do we need? Are we going to continue to reject such a gift?
Hear the word of the LORD, You children of Israel, For the LORD [brings] a charge against the inhabitants of the land: "There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land. Hosea 4:1 NKJV
Now to be sure, reading, interpreting and understanding God's Word will cause you discomfort, beloved. It will, because it will be made plain to all who do so, that we are sinners, and need to repent of our ways. It will be unpleasant because we will begin to reject the fleshly pleasures that our humanity screams for. We will begin to allow God to truly lead us, rather than blindly following the other sheep. Please remember, sheep go astray all the time! They are truly stupid creatures. Sheep require a shepherd, and this sheep for one, requires The Shepherd's voice.
All Scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16 NKJVIt's time that we stood upon the foundation of God's Word, each and every one of us, with full knowledge of what He teaches, not just what man says He teaches. From the beginning of Creation there have been those that pervert His Word for their own gain, and they will be judged all the more harshly for that on the Day of Judgment. We, however, will also be judged for our complacency, if we refuse to let the Word of God guide us, in every thing. Will we continue to be lukewarm, to the extent that the Lord tells us on the Day of Judgment that He "never knew us"? All because we didn't take the time to know Him?
Peddling the Word of God the way that some do, for gain in this earthly life, rather than treasures in Heaven, should be blatantly obvious to all of us. Wouldn't you rather be sure that the instructions you're being given are right and true? Do we want untold numbers of unbelievers and new believers to be led down a path that does not lead to God? Can you live with the knowledge that you may have allowed another to base the state of their salvation on their financial contribution to liars and fakes, rather than on grace by faith alone?
Giving generously and joyfully as we are able, according to our means, is something we should all be doing. Whether that means 10%, 20%, 100% or even nothing at all (if we have NONE to give). But it should be given, not just to a building fund or to pay the salary of a pastor. It should be given out of love for our fellow man as well. The money we give to the Body, should go to any that have need. Whether that need is for fleshly things- such as food and clothing; or the need is to hear the message of salvation. It should also never be given with the expectation that the "blessing" will be returned to us. Our giving should be for the spread of the Gospel, first and foremost. We should support our "senders", so that they can concentrate on sharing the pure Word of God; and also to help other believers in whatever they need, in order to be able to continue in faith. If a teacher of His Word is not actively sharing the Word with the lost, then they are not fulfilling their calling. Unfortunately, in this day and age, the majority of those that are taught, on a given Sunday, are those that should not need to be taught... they should be out teaching it and sharing it as well. They should be among the "senders". We are all given the priesthood, when we accept the gift of the Holy Spirit. We are all given equal opportunity and responsibility to share His Good News.
Faith in God manifests itself by the fruits of the Spirit apparent in our lives. The fruit will not ripen on a tree that is not fed and watered with the Bread of Life and the Living Water. So, I say to you: if you are not yet mature enough in your ability to interpret His word for yourself, and still rely on the others to instruct you, then listen to what your pastor says, and then go home and test it! Be certain that when your pastor says: ...we are not, as so many,* peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:17 NKJV that he/she is speaking the honestly. Be certain that any teacher in your midst has "renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." 2 Corinthians 4:2 NKJV
The gathering of believers on Sundays is intended to be for fellowship and the breaking of bread, prayer to the Lord, and encouraging one another, as the early church practiced. (Acts 2:42-47 NKJV) Church attendance is a good thing, and a needful thing, but not as a school for mass catatonia amongst those in attendance. Going to church, will not get you into Heaven. That is a promise. Only faith in God alone will save you. And again, your faith will not grow, and will not manifest itself as fruits of the Spirit, if you are not learning and applying the Word of God yourself. The Holy Spirit was sent to each one of us, for specifically this purpose. The Holy Spirit above all, should be our teacher.
Be as the Bereans, search out the Scriptures for yourselves, and know that what you have been taught is pure and true. If it is not, it is every believer's responsibility, as a member of the Body of Christ, to remove those members that infect the Whole, with their poison. That is what impure doctrine does- it infects and diseases the entire body, like a cancer, when we do not identify it and treat it in whatever manner is necessary to remove it. This may be in simple, loving correction. It may also mean confrontation of pure sin. We are all called to edify each other in our faith walk. We are all one in Him. We are all representative images of our Lord. If one among us, is giving a false image of Who He is, it must be brought into the light. It's not enough to quit listening to those teachings. We must have the strength and endurance to call it out. Even Paul was called to correct Peter. Now, if that's not a clear cut case of one calling out the teachings of another who should have known better, I don't know what is. Division is not the effect of gentle loving correction of heresy, and doctrinal error. Unity under Him, is the direct effect created by purity of teachings.
The point is, that though not all of us has a seminary degree, and not all of us are Bible scholars, we are all able to correct impure doctrine, if we just take the time to do so. It takes discipline and an honest desire to further the Lord's work, in the small amount of time we have to make a difference. Are you up to the task? May God help you, if you are not. I pray that you meditate on this today, and ask God for the discernment and wisdom necessary, to correct any teachings that pervert His instruction. I also pray that we, as a whole, will recognize our laziness with regard to learning what His will for us is. The longer that we allow the cancer to remain, the more it will spread. Eventually, it will become terminal. We can do something about it, with God's help. Will you join me? Blessings to you all!
