It all depends: What kind of truth do you want God’s word to be?
"The Berean were more fair-minded than most Christians in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so," Acts 17:10-11
Commun statement that I hear: God is Unjust
Why would God just stand by and do nothing? I mean when you read stories in the bible; it is one injustice after another. God stand by allowing Satan to deceive Adam and letting Cain kill Abel. Cain got angry because God dislike Cain' offering compared to Abel’s. What wrong with God? If someone gave me a gift even if it wasn't a nice gift I surely would show some appreciation! And what about the deluge? I mean just because of a few outcasts from heaven, everybody, including children was eradicated. What about the people of Israel, when they entered into the so-called promise land, they were commanded by God to kill everyone, including innocent woman and children? God is so unjust don’t you think? Please watch: "The Noah Movie Deception"
Satan Lies
It is true; Satan is God’s adversary. Satan twisted the truth around. Satan makes God look like the bad guy. Satan is a deceiver, a liar and a murderer, John 8:44. He has only one motto, that is “they must not believe.” We all fall for his lies, all with no exception, 1 Jn 5:19b. In addition, we are of our own demise. We keep believing in his lies, and the whole world by choice is under Satan’s lies.
What do you want to believe? - You are what you believe.
If you find God unfair, like it or not you believe in Satan lies. He made you believe either that God does not excite, or if He does excite you are to blame God anyway. This is what I constantly hear: ‘If’ there was a just God, why does He allow wars? ‘If’ there were a loving God, why would He allow suffering and not intervene? If there would be a just God, if God really exist, if God was a good God, this world would be a better world. Atheist, how can you blame God, since you don’t believe in god? However, you blame Him with all the injustice of this world with “IF GOD” statement to prove his non-existence.
What kind of truth do you want to believe?
What kind of truth do you want to believe?
‘I was once in an antique store. There was a table that interested me, so I call out to the storekeeper, “what kind of wood is it made out of?” He replied, “what kind of wood would you like it to be?”
What kind of wood do you want the table to be? What kind of truth do you want God’s word to be?
Even Christians are divided among themselves because of tradition and of different interpretation of God’s word. The secular loved to point that out. Christians do a very good job to stay divided and keep on dividing. Jesus stated that by loving each other the world would know Him, John 13:35. For denominations to respect their boundaries is not what Jesus called loving one another. Tradition is one aspect that causes division between Christian. So please take the time to read my commentary title “Christianity is like the menu of an ice cream parlor.” There is nothing wrong with different taste in music and service format. It is when we put down and belittle another church that is wrong. Do we not have the same God, and the same word? We are seen by the secular society as being hypocrite, and they are right, we are hypocrite. What is worst? We know it. We choose to ignore the causes and choose to do nothing about it. Did you ever stop thinking what Jesus really thinks about division? For a start, Jesus hates divorce, Malachi 2:16. So how would Jesus react seeing His Church divided? Paul instructed “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment,” 1 Corinthians 1:10. In Jesus’ eyes, there is only one body. He doesn’t see church building and denominations
Diversity of opinion in Theology is the main cause for division, Colossians 2:16. Same Bible or not quit. There are so many versions, 1 Corinthians 3:4-6. Theologians have our best interest of serving Jesus by studying God’s word on our behalf. Does it unite us? No, not necessarily, and quite the opposite, it divides us even more. A pastor, minister and/or teacher all state the same statement: “don’t take my word for it, look it up for yourself.” Nevertheless when challenged, some stick to their gun like their job depends on it. Then there are followers who do not care less about the message and the teaching but are present religiously every Sunday just for the tradition sake. In reality, in a small community, who wants to rock the boat? Surely, not for a tiny discrepancy in the interpretation! Nevertheless, all these tiny discrepancies are accumulative and gradually the truth drift away farther, farther away. Who wants to confront the establishment and risk losing their entire Christian friends?
Come on now, lets be realistic, Most Christians choose what they want to believe. If the table is made of pine, many will prefer to believe that it is made of cherry, oak, or maple.
Majority shows up as a custom each Sunday or Saturday, (that too is a tradition), sit in their pew, quietly listen to a sermon only to drift away without questioning that what they heard was of sound doctrine or not. Alternatively, when it does sound suspicious they just brush it of like dust off the jacket, and comment, ‘Oh what a nice day to be at church’. We all did that, myself included. But then I was stirred up from inside like a burning fire to find the truth. I was raised as a catholic. I was forbidden to read the Bible. The clergies told me that only they knew the truth. I joined another denomination, which encouraged me to study God’s world, yet to follow diligently their interpretation of the truth without intrusion.
How can I tell whether I am choosing my truth? I really do not want to fall into the trap in which the Pharisees fell into. The Pharisees choose to believe that their table made of pine was made of oak. This is what Jesus replied to the Pharisees after they accused His disciples of not walking according to the tradition of the elders: “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. “For laying aside the commandments of God, you hold the tradition of men,” Mark 7:6-8 and proceeding to verse 9, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.” They reject the truth for lies.
It is obvious that Jesus had observed that the Pharisees were placing more importance to tradition than God’s commandments. Jesus went on to explained to the disciple the reason why the Pharisees did so. In Mark 7:21-23, He explained that it was because the Pharisees did not want to deal with the issue of sin. Same with some Christians, by adapting to a secular view of sin, and that is, it is no longer sin but human nature, which are part of man evolution. Some Christians avoid the issues of sin; rather prefer to twist the scripture to fulfill their personal agenda and financial gain by the name of Jesus.
“as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures,” 2 Peter 3:16.
Many Christians view Christianity as a code of conduct, as a tradition. Yes, I agree that we are to be the light of the world and we are to answer to a higher code of conduct, yet it is no longer a result of our repentance but rather a tradition just like the Pharisees view their religion. How to know the difference? We know when we put more emphasize toward the law then saving souls, pointing at people’s sin, rather than point them to the redeemer. They quote 1 Jn 5:18, “We know that whoever is born of God does not sins,” Paul explained this well in Rom 7:17-20 that it is no longer us who sinned but sin that dwells in us. And besides the light is supposed to draw people to salvation not to scare them away from it, unless you are children of disobedience, Satan’s children who hate the light.
The lies
Bottom line, we are responsible for our own choice, even when we were deceived, since Jesus reveals the truth, and we are the one who chooses to reject or to accept the truth. Jesus warns us “many will come in My name saying I am and deceived the many.” We were told to watch, to question, and to discern. Jesus teaches His disciples to instruct us, to guide us, and to rebuke Christians, who are going for another gospel than the one, He instructed. It is all in the Books of the Epistle, and to the letters to the seven churches mention in the Book of Revelation. “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead,” 1Timothy 4:1-2 NLT.
So we were deceived to believe that the table was made of oak when actually, it was made of pine. So what are you going to do about it? Keep the table and pretend that nothing happened and keep hiding the truth to your friend. No? Keep the table and tell your friend you were deceived, and although it is the wrong type of wood, it looks good and you got use for it. This is what I would do: get rite of the table, acquire a table made of real oak, be proud to show case it and warn my friend not to believe in that particular salesman who deceived me. Look for and keep the truth. We are to look diligently for the truth to the last one. Take the example of the woman who lost a coin in Luke 15:8. Even though this parable relates to the joy over one sinner saved, we are to share the joy in a truth that had been lost and now found.
In a resent commentary I’ve read titled “The Best Kind of Bible Study” from Joe McKeever, he quoted Eugene Peterson in his book title "Eat This Book,"
“Peterson thought of a dog of his which had dragged out of the woods where they lived a large bone, probably from a moose. Day after day, that little dog gnawed at that bone until he had consumed it. The sounds (grunting, growling, purring) the animal made as he "worked" the bone called to mind this word from the Hebrew. That, says Peterson, is how we are to approach Holy Scripture: working at it, meditating upon it, gnawing and chewing until we have consumed it.”
Christians are to have the same reaction as the king of Judas had when the Book of Moses was discovered in the House of the Lord in 2 Chronicles 34:29-33. He not only read it, but he re-instituted it. The truth may be disturbing, because it requires that we do something with it, and change is hard sometimes. Yet are we to please God or man? “Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God,” Colossians 3:22. Although this is a commandment for a servant toward his earthly master, we Christians have a new master call Jesus.
When we find a new truth, long ignored and forgotten we rejoice. We become astonish, and maybe resentful. With courage, we then accept the truth by applying it in our lives. Satan had created mountains of lies that we have received as truth. We are to seek the truth to replace the lies. Why? Satan lies have only one purpose, and that is to keep us away from God. Although we have accepted Jesus to pay for the penalty of our sin, one single lie will hinder our relationship with God because there are no lies in God. As a father who corrects his children so is God as a Father will correct us. Why? We are to become more and more like Him, like-minded, “Be holy, for I Am Holy,” 1 Peter 1:16. Why? It is to prepare us to reign with Jesus, Revelation 20:6. Why? It is because it is our inheritance to who ever accept Jesus, Hebrews 9:15, Colossians 3:24. It is our goal in this lifetime to get ready for our destiny prepared by God, as sons of God, Romans 8:19, Galatians 3:26. What a mighty God we have! Why? Just because He wants too, Romans 5:17. We will fall into God righteous justice if we do not repent. Prayer will not be answered. Would you be favorable to a child of disobedience?
Are You Sleeping At Your School Desk?
Therefore hear the parable of the sower: Matthew 13;18-23
- When anyone hears the word about the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. (God’s word, the truth rejected)
- However, he who received the seed into stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; nevertheless, he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. (Refusing to repent and to change after receiving the truth, the pressure from the secular society is great)
- Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. (The truth accepted doesn’t bring joy, after repentance, change is a burden, more mindful on earthly goal then on the kingdom of God, therefore, his light doesn’t shine, sadly many Christians are in that category)
- But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” It does not need an explanation.
So you see, when a truth is revealed to you, and you apply it with joy, you will constantly bear fruit, you will influence people. It is like an olive tree that produces oil, and abundance of it, the oil that represents God’s Spirit that flows through you. When Jesus states, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you,” Matthew 6:33, He admonishes to learn from Him, to be teachable, and to look for the truth. Do not take your salvation for granted as some do and never show up for class. There is much more after salvation that meets the eyes. We are not just saved from a horrible destiny in hell, but we are chosen to reign with Jesus. There is a purpose for Jesus to invite you to rest in Him, and that is to concentrate in your study. Please read my commentary title, “To Rest In The Lord Is Simple."
Fellow Student Let Me Introduce You To Your Teacher – Holy Spirit
Source: The Latter Days Ministry |
No matter what are the present condition and circumstance that you find yourself in today; sick or healthy, rich or poor, free or slave, Jews or gentiles, man or woman, we are in the same class room and we have also a common teacher, Holy Spirit. In the Upper room discourse, Jesus said to His disciples, "I will not leave you orphans; I will not leave you alone. If I go away I will send another Comforter to you, and he will guide you into all the truth. He will take of the things of mine and show them unto you, and he will say to you the things that I have not been able to say," John 14:16-18. Focus on what he said, "I have many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them yet. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth," John 16:13.
What a mighty God we have indeed! He thought of everything. It took approximately 1600 years to put the Bible together, as we know it today. God’s word, and His truth are in the palms of your hands. Yes, there are many versions, and guess what, they all have flaws. I use the New King James and the International Children Bible. A concordance is a great tool to understand the meaning of a word from it original translation. However most importantly count on your teacher, Spirit of Truth to teach you and guide you.
Tutors are very important. You need someone of experience to help you. It is not easy to find and to trust. Nevertheless it is important. Do you have someone in mind, well for you? If not, I’ll share with you some web site that helped me a great deal, and I am talking by experience.
Late Ray Stedman, at http://www.raystedman.org. His library is full of commentaries, available in audio also. I suggest that you read or listen to his teaching on 1 Corinthians 2:10-13, title “God’s Teacher” as a starter.
Lambert Dolphin, at http://www.ldolphin.org/. Very resourceful web site. I suggest that you download a free book title, “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done”
Jack Kelley, at http://gracethrufaith.com/. Question and answer. He will reply pertaining to any scriptures that you have difficulty understanding. He also has available, Bible study in MP3 format and ebooks
Conclusion – The Truth is "God is Just"
Adam was not deceived. Eve was. Adam deliberately disobeyed and blames the woman. Cain was instructed by God the proper offering he was to do. Cain disobeyed, and in envy murdered his brother. The deluge was God way of cleansing the whole world since the cruelty of man was great. “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually,” God commanded Israel to kill everyone of every tribe when they entered the promise land, Deut. 7:1-6, because the tribe’s religion was an abomination to God, sacrificing children as burned offering, conducting sexual immoralities as a religious ritual, and giving no justice toward the poor and the needy, Deut. 18:9-13. God gave them 400 years to repent, and they did not. The Promised Land to the children of Israel needed cleansing before its occupation.
“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness,” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12.
So, what kind of wood did you want the table to be? What kind of truth did you want God’s word to be? It is up to you and nobody else. If I have encourage some of you to search for the truth, so that you can let go of one lie, I will rejoice with you inasmuch as our Lord rejoices.
Please watch this video presentation: Strange Fire, part of Grace to You's Truth Matters conference series, evaluates the doctrines, claims, and practices of the modern charismatic movement, and affirms the true Person and ministry of the Holy Spirit. Published on Oct 30, 2013, http://www.gty.org/resources/sermon-series/325
Please watch this video presentation: Strange Fire, part of Grace to You's Truth Matters conference series, evaluates the doctrines, claims, and practices of the modern charismatic movement, and affirms the true Person and ministry of the Holy Spirit. Published on Oct 30, 2013, http://www.gty.org/resources/sermon-series/325
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