"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." -See Matthew 4:4, Luke 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3; bold italics added for emphasis.
It seemed really simple, to me; God had given to us His Word, which ought to be our handbook and guide into living the Christian life. How surprised, shocked, saddened, angered, and frustrated I have been over the years when meeting with mouth-professing Christians who seem to not care at all what the Word has to say- nor do they even attempt to consult the Bible for direction in any matter.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." -II Timothy 3:16,17.
In the late 15th, early 16th centuries, the Protestant Reformation began sweeping Europe. It was a full, public break from the state-demanded religion of Catholicism. Why did this happen so earnestly? Because people began to have access to the holy scriptures for themselves, and could see that the Roman Catholic institution is a false faith; one that plainly contradicted God's words, and kept the people in a hopeless spiritual, and even material bondage. Godly men & women loved the actual words of God, and the inner freedom that it brought to them (John 8:31,32). They readily broke away from the Catholic Church, and a great many were openly murdered for their defiance.
Today, the ecumenical movement is in full swing, with the great majority of protestant churches returning to an unholy union with Rome. How could this happen? It is because the Bible is treated as being irrelevant in the lives of mankind today, whether or not they claim to be Christian. Since the Catholic Church could not bring the protestants back to them by force, they then through subtlty undermined faith through Bible revision. Now, just 140 years after these efforts were begun in earnest, their goal is within reach.
Certainly, I cannot describe what I see today as an indifference to the Bible. Frankly, they are BIG BUSINESS! New versions continue to flood the market every few years, and help keep evil men like Rupert Murdoch, who now owns Zondervan, very rich. Lost among all of these versions and commentaries, in addition to each pastor's own version, seems to be a standard of the words which the Lord actually preserved for us. That true standard is the King James Bible, though at this point in history even many which are steadfast for the KJV have declared it irrelevant by their handling of it. We need to "try the spirits", holding up the teachings of respected leaders to the scrutiny of scripture.
We need to regard the Bible as God's very words, given to us. We need to LOOK to those words for guidance, and reverently not add to or diminsh from them (Deut. 4:2). Professing Christians are really not doing that today. Of those that actually do search the scriptures, many disregard its instructions if it differs with their own "common sense." They then rationalize that things are "different" today, and that we cannot follow God's instructions because they simply can't apply to us. They forget when the Word of God tells us;
"The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun." -Eccl. 1:9.
Examples of this Biblical irrelevance in the lives of supposed believers are legion, but I will attempt to keep it short for time's sake. I'll start with some personal encounters, and go from there.
Many of you know that I am divorced, my first wife having left me. This was a devastating time for me, and I twice nearly took my own life. Yet I had begun attending a church, where the pastor was kind enough to give me some time and counsel. He was the first one that opened my eyes to I Corinthians 7, where the Bible addresses the situation I was in (abandonment of the believer by the spouse). This scripture relieved me greatly, for I was at least seeing that divorce can happen to a follower of Christ.
The verbal instructions from the pastor, however, differed somewnat from the scriptures. As we spoke the one night, I commented, "It sounds like you're saying that the marriage should be saved at all cost." He agreed that this was in fact what he was saying. I responded with, "But the Bible doesn't tell us that." The
Bible in no place provides such an instruction, and in I Cor. 7:15 (which the pastor had brought to my attention) the directive to "let them leave" is given to the believer! The pastor was not only adding to, and contradicting the Bible, but he was even contradicting his own counsel. A good while later this man actually told me that he doesn't believe that we even have God's words today, except "in spirit."
A couple years ago, my wife began to associate with another woman from our park, who initially seemed to be a good Christian. We were delighted at the prospect of sharing and fellowship. The problems that we ran into later, however, revealed that something was deeply wrong. I will not go into any of those things, and indeed, this point of sharing is more about an associate of Jane (not real name).
At this time, we were struggling financially, and had no car. Many things we could still get by walking, or on bike, but spring water wasn't one of them! The distance was too far, and the objects too heavy for anything but a car. Being encouraged that Jane was a believer, we decided to ask if she would be willing to take us for water sometimes (about every 2-3 weeks, and we would pay gas $).
Instead of just agreeing, Jane sought "counsel" from her sister-in-law, who was the wife of an associate pastor (Jane's brother)! That sounds pretty good, doesn't it? Well, Jane's sister-in-law more or less said, "No way!" She said that Jane needed to take care of herself, and she shouldn't be wasting wear & tear on her car for us. Was this response of Christ? What about giving to everyone that asks of you, and doing to others as you would have them do to you (Luke 6:30-36)? What about doing good to all, especially those that are of the household of faith (Gal. 6:9,10)? So Jane sought not the counsel of the Bible, but rather of a "respected" believer, who then shunned Biblical directives in response.
We later came to see, as we were growing in faith, that we shouldn't have asked Jane for help. The Lord has said that He would hear the prayers we offer in secret, and reward us (Matt. 6:6). Later on, the Lord prompted a neighbor to offer the use of her car any time that we needed it, praise His name!
Then there was also John (false name), who we saw occasionally as he fixed up homes for re-sale. He lamented over the fact that he was having relational difficulties with his 17 year old son, and promptly declared that he wouldn't shave or get a haircut until the relationship was restored! Yes, John is a professed Christian.
It is certainly normal to love your children, and desire a good relationship with them. But differences with your children will also surely arise, especially with teenagers. Jesus told us that a man's enemies would be they of his own house, and that those that love their children more than Him are not worthy of Him (Matt. 10:34-39; Luke 14:26). Nowhere, but nowhere in the scriptures are we told to put such great emphasis on inner family relations, but only to serve the Lord with our all. This is the 1st problem I see.
Secondly, if you were actually to search God's Word for a solution, you would encounter Micah 1:16, which instructs the parent to shave his head! The Bible discourages long hair in men (I Cor. 11:14), so John was definitely "headed" in the wrong direction.
Finally, John was also drawing attention to himself by his actions. A repeated message of Matthew chapter 6:1-16 is the secrecy with which we bring our requests to God: "don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." In short, John calls himself a Christian, but Biblical instruction showed itself to be irrelevant in his handling of this situation. Even for such individuals to obey Bible directives in some areas, usually is just more by chance, than deliberate.
Godly chastening is another "sore" area of Biblical disregard today. Jesus plainly stated, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten." from Rev. 3:19. We are also told in Hebrews 11:5-11 that the Lord scourges every son He receives; and that this is done for our good.
In scripture, EVERYTHING was seen as coming from God. Today, when people get ill, they rush to the doctor, or buy medicine; as if their illness exists completely apart from God! When confronting people with the idea that God may be chastening or refining them in some way, several have said, "God wouldn't do that to me." Others listen, but take no humbling action before God to seek His face. The fact is, they do not want a God that would deal with them so roughly (as they see it), or take away their own right of determination for the future. This is a dangerous place to be in!
And where does Christmas fit into the Bible? You can view more on that through the link, if desired. So many things about Christmas are lies, and direct contradictions to Bible directives.
Speaking of lying, this is a major Christian affliction! God hates lying, for the SIN that it is. We lie so many times, to so many people, over so many issues. Our children, spouses, co-workers, etc., are all recipients of this treatment. These lies are often considered to be "necessary", so we don't even regard them that way. Make no mistake about it; Jesus said that all liars will have their part in the lake of fire. -Rev. 21:8.
Other short mentions are;
- The Green Bible, or "save the earth" environmentalism. Not to be found in scripture.
- Women leaders in the church have no leeway to do so, Biblically.
- Homosexual behavior. Recently we saw an article headline where 100 ordained ministers in a Nebraska city had declared that homosexual marriage wasn't a sin! Granted, these ministers may not all have been of professing Christian faith, and there may have been more than one per institution. Obviously, none of them believe what the Bible has to say on the matter.
- Some church leaders have embraced evolution teaching over and above God's account of creation. This is foolish behavior in the highest degree, and really shows that they haven't taken an in-depth look at the subject at all! But the fact is, when you begin declaring that one part of the Bible is untrue, you have no right to believe any of it.
- Why are we trusting educated leaders of man-made systems, rather than Holy Ghost-filled leaders that walk by faith? Check out Acts 4:13, and I Cor. 1:26-29 for God's sentiments on the issue!
- Are any believers really practicing self-denial, as shown in places like Matt. 16:24?
- How can someone who claims to be of Christ-like nature be so worldly (James 4:4; I John 2:15-17)? Don't they realize that we are not to be yoked with unbelief; but rather, are to "come out from among them and be separate (II Cor. 6:14-18)?
Unfortunately, though the scriptures are exceedingly clear on most subjects, church leaders tend to treat the Bible's instructions as if they could be subjective to each person's determination. Seldom are congregations challenged to ammend sinful, worldly behavior. When we see the desperate spiritual condition of our world today, and the growing judgments of God coming upon us, we should see the direct relationship of hard reality to the IRRELEVANT place that we now hold the Bible in.
Without faith, we cannot please God (Heb. 11:6). Yet that faith needs to be childlike (Matt. 18:4; Luke 18:17): we are believing God at His Word for what He has given us; without adding to it, or taking away from it through our own rationale. Don't allow the Bible to remain, or to become irrelevant in your life.
"Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord; but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." -Is. 66:1,2; emphasis mine in bold italics.
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