Bible Thoughts

March 7, 2004

When the apostle Paul presented his defense before Agrippa, he first complimented the ruler by saying that the ruler was an "expert" in the "customs and questions which are among the Jews"(Acts 26:3). As a Hebrew, obeying the Law of Moses, Paul lived as a "Pharisee," the straitest sect of the Jews. His dedication to what he had been taught is manifest in the manner in which he defended his previous faith and the rigor with which he persecuted those who were Christians. Paul's own words, "I verily thought with myself that ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth"(Acts 26:9). Paul even had a clear conscience when he sent "saints" to prison as he "gave my vote against them."

There are many in our religious world who "verily" think they are following the commands of Jesus Christ. They are hindered by preachers that do not speak the truth of God's word. Human creeds and disciplines guide their faith away from the plain teaching of the scriptures. They think their preacher or teacher speaks the truth, and, unfortunately, receive their messages without challenging the truthfulness of what they are saying. How is it possible for the many religious teachers of today to all be right? Sectarian messengers preach contradictory teachings in their pulpits through their preaching. How can such confusion exist? Have they searched the word of God and confirmed what they are teaching? They "verify think" they are doing God's will, but when a challenge is made in the light of the scriptures, they cannot justify denominational teachings. Only the scriptures contain religious truth. The creedbooks of men will destroy the souls of those who follow such foolishness. Paul changed when he heard the truth. Each religious teacher and those who follow their words must also be willing to change from error to truth. Jesus told those of His day, "...ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free"(John 8:32).

Even among churches of Christ, error can creep into the teachings and practices of a local church. They "verily thought" everything was all right without careful examination of the scriptures. Practices and teachings that cannot be proven by the Word of God have, in the past(and in the present), led saints away from what God has commanded. Each Christian has a personal responsibility to check his own faith as well as checking in the scriptures in regard to the teachings, work, and organization of the Lord's people. Through the years, the danger of departure has been proven through the apostasy that created the Roman Catholic Church and the Christian Church. When men do not have the proper respect for the commands of Christ, departure is inevitable. In such cases they "verily thought" that they were doing great things and improving the church when, in reality, they were being governed by the ways of men and not the ways of God.

Let each of us and each congregation not make the mistake of "I verily thought" everything was all right. Check the scriptures and challenge the teachers, preachers, and elders for book, chapter and verse for every teaching and every practice of the local church. If they cannot prove, from the scripture, any position or practice, challenge them to return to the truth and follow the Law of Christ. Even "sound" churches must be alert to the dangers of those who would lead disciples away from the word of God.

Let each of us be as the noble Beroeans who "received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the scriptures daily, whether these things were so"(Acts 17:11).

In ages past, there was a man, a nephew of Abraham, who saw a valley that would support his many flocks and herds. When the man looked at the valley, he saw water for his animals and a place like "the garden of the Lord." The man settled in the valley and moved his "tents as far as Sodom." Could anyone have criticized him for wanting proper fields for his flocks, with plenty of water and, perhaps, an acceptable climate. Surely, this one man could be concerned and interested in his family and their welfare. An opportunity was before him and he took advantage of it. However, the pleasantness of the surroundings did not erase the fact that "the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the Lord"(Genesis 13:13). Their ungodliness, a stench in the nostrils of God, became their undoing. Hence, "the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven"(Genesis 19:24). Further, the family of Lot was affected by the presence of the evil found in the doomed city.

The ungodliness of the time of Lot is still present among humanity. The Bible clearly teaches that ungodliness of the nature of Sodom will cost a person his soul! The courts can justify it, the state can make laws to approve it, and humanity can cry out its acceptance of Sodomy. How many steps is our nation(and our community) from Sodom? It seems to draw closer to the ungodly behavior that has been adopted by many of our society.

We must remember, however, that homosexuality is a sin. It can be forgiven through the blood of Christ as other sins are forgiven. When one who is not a Christian, renounces sin and obeys the gospel, the Lord will cleanse him of his transgressions, no matter what the sin may of which one may be guilty, from a fib to murder, one can be free through the blood of Christ when obedient to the Word of God.

Sin has been defined in many different ways. Often it is referred to as a "social problem." This leaves an opportunity for one to commit evil without feelings of guilt. Modern, liberal religious teachers use such an approach.

Sin was real when it entered into the lives of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden(Romans 5:12). It was a reality among the Israelites as they ignored God's law. The apostle Peter felt the weight of transgression as he denied Christ. The destruction of the Sodomites is a continuing monument to the existence of sin.

The early disciples were warned against committing fornication, homosexuality, stealing, lying, etc., in passage after passage(see Romans 1:26-32; Ephesians 5:3-5; Colossians 3:5-6). John reveals the consequences of such transgressions as he points out, "But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death"(Revelation 21:8).

Men lacking the courage to speak against such sins as noted above, as well as those who go so far as to condone such transgressions, are not pleasing God. Rationalizing away the terribleness of sin by modernistic social approaches will not remove the eternal consequences God has assigned for immoral conduct.

The reality of sin brought about the death of Jesus, the revelation of the gospel, and God's plan of salvation. Do you believe that condoners of evil will change God's word?(out of the past-jy)