Word and Deed

I saw this meme on Facebook the other day. Like so much of what we see and hear, it takes seemingly moral truth (often based on Biblical truth) and tries to boil it down into an attention-grabbing slogan. In this case, this meme is expressing the idea that it doesn't matter how many Bible verses you know; the only important thing is how you treat other people. That's all that Jesus really cares about. But is it?

Christians should make it a habit to compare what we see and hear with Scripture, especially when what we see and hear seems to be expressing a Biblical truth. We should be asking ourselves, "What does the Bible say?"

Friends, this meme is another subtle attempt to undermine the word of God. It is another attempt to diminish the first and greatest commandment by overemphasizing the second greatest commandment. What are those, you ask?  

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” -Matthew 22:36-40

Was Jesus giving brand new commandments? No. These statements are a summary of the Ten Commandments given to the prophet, Moses. The first four commandments deal with how we are to love God; they come first, by the way. The last six commandments deal with how we are to love our neighbor.

We are commanded to love the Lord our God, first. This is the first and greatest commandment. If we love the Lord our God - we acknowledge Him as our Creator, Redeemer, King, and Lord - then we will love His word. Why? What does the Bible say about how we are to regard God's word? Let's find out.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. - Psalm 119:11

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” - John 6:68-69

Friends, I don't want you to be discouraged if you don't have many Bible verses memorized. The point is not about how many Bible verses you have memorized; the point is, your attitude toward the word of God is what really matters. Like so many things, this is a heart issue. What is your attitude toward the word of God? Is it casual? Sincere? Is the Bible merely good advice? Is the Bible the inerrant word of God? If you agree with the apostle Peter that Jesus is the Holy One of God and that he has the words of eternal life, then why wouldn't you be eager to hear what he has to say? If you haven't given much thought about Bible reading, I encourage you to start by reading Psalm 119. It is a beautiful Psalm that lifts up God's word.

Now, I would be remiss if I didn't make another point. Earlier I mentioned that memes like these often present seemingly moral truths. Friends, it is true that Jesus does care about how you treat others. We are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves. This means that we should put into practice what we read in God's word:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. - James 1:22

Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. - James 215-17

This point in the Book of James agrees with Paul's second letter to Timothy when he said, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17) God's word equips us to do good works. Once we read God's word, we should take it to heart and do what it says. Our good works do not save us. Our good works are evidence of our faith designed to bring glory to God, not to ourselves:

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:15-16

Further reading from GotQuestions.org: "Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works?"

Begin to store the word of God in your heart, not so you can earn merit badges from God or so that you can impress your friends with how much Bible you know. Store the word of God in your heart so that you can be thoroughly equipped for every good work, and more importantly, so that you will begin to learn and to know more about your Savior. In a previous post, I encouraged you to read through the Bible. There are many ways to begin doing this: start with a verse a day, read through the four Gospels in 40 days, read through the New Testament in one year, or read through the Bible in one year. All of these reading plans and more are available on BibleGateway.com. God has revealed much about Himself in the Bible and we would be wise to read and to study what He has said so that we will be thoroughly equipped.

Test All Things - Even Churchy Stuff

Friends, just because a campaign or a slogan is sponsored by a church or a denomination, that doesn't mean that we should take it as gospel, so to speak. The United Church of Christ has come out with a new campaign called Still Speaking 2.0 to upgrade its God is Still Speaking campaign.

The first slogan of this campaign says:

"Here's a Revelation: God Didn't End in Revelation." (Source)

Um, yeah. Where do I start? OK, technically, this statement is partially correct: God didn't end. In fact, God didn't begin, either. God has no beginning or ending. He is from everlasting to everlasting. (Psalm 90:1-2). God is the Alpha and the Omega. (Revelation 1:8). However, this statement is not referencing God's eternal state. Remember, this slogan is part of the Still Speaking 2.0 campaign, which is an upgrade of the God is Still Speaking campaign. Did you catch that? God. Is. Still. Speaking. In other words, the book of Revelation is not the final recording of God's Word because according to the UCC, God is Still Speaking 2.0. Does this agree with the Bible? Let's take a look.

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (Hebrews 1:1-3)

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. (Revelation 22:18-19)

Further reading from GotQuestions.org: Does the warning in Revelation 22:18-19 apply to the entire Bible or just the Book of Revelation?

Regardless of what the UCC or any other church or anyone else says, God Has Already Spoken. Please listen to Him and read what He has already said.

As if that slogan isn't bad enough, it gets worse. Here is the second slogan from the Still Speaking 2.0 campaign:

"The Bible is like GPS. A brilliant guide. All-knowing. Occasionally wrong." (Source)

Who dreams up this stuff? If the Bible is all-knowing then how could it possibly be wrong? And by the way, which parts are wrong? The stuff that you disagree with? Which parts are right? The stuff that you agree with? But what does the Bible say about God's word:

Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar. (Proverbs 30:5-6)

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The UCC says that Scripture is "occasionally wrong." Scripture says that the word of God is "flawless" and "God-breathed". Friends, ever since the Garden of Eden, the enemy of God has been trying to persuade us to doubt the veracity of God's word (Genesis 3:1): Did God really say?

All of this pains me because I once attended a UCC church. I bought into the God Is Still Speaking campaign the first time around because I was not saved. Yes, you read that correctly: I was not saved. I had been looking for a church - a faith community - in which to raise my children. That church and that campaign appealed to my sinful nature of equating the social justice gospel with the gospel. The social justice gospel does not require you to humble yourself before God and repent of your sins and declare your need for a Savior; the true gospel does. The social justice gospel wants you to work for justice, peace, harmony - the social justice gospel wants you to work for salvation. The gospel says that there is nothing you can do except admit that you can't save yourself and to trust in the finished work of Jesus' perfect sacrifice on the cross and his glorious resurrection. Ironically, there is no little mention of the gospel on the UCC's web site, but there is a lot of information regarding social justice. The gospel is foundational to Christianity. How can you call yourself a church - or a Christian - if you do not share the gospel?

Honestly, any "church" that wants to cast doubt on the truth of God's word is not a church - it is an organization. The UCC is a social justice organization masquerading as the church. The church is not a building or an organization: it is the body of Christ Jesus who was God incarnate. And if you cannot trust His Word, then who or what are you trusting in? And if you cannot trust the words of the One who saves you from your sins, why do you call yourself a member of His church?

Friends, I implore you to read the Bible for yourself. Get to know the words of God. Get to know and understand what God has already spoken. Test all things using the Bible as the standard. May the word of Christ dwell in you richly.

H/T: The End Time: United Church of Christ's edgy 'sorta scriptura' campaign

Man's Word vs. God's Word

I have seen this meme on Facebook. When I first read it I thought, "Strange words from a man who claims to lead the church." But in reality, Pope Francis does not lead the Church; he leads the Catholic Church, but that is not the Church. These words are devoid of Biblical truth, and more importantly, they are devoid of the Gospel.

Edit: According to Snopes, this meme is inaccurate. Nevertheless, I will examine each line because many people hold similar beliefs to those expressed in this meme. My goal is to encourage believers to test everything they hear and read using the word of God as the standard.

"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." - Colossians 2:8

Let's briefly take each line one by one and compare them with God's word. (Note: When I quote a verse from Scripture I have linked it to the entire chapter from which the quote is taken. Ex: Colossians 2:8 is from the second chapter of Colossians, verse 8. I have linked to the entire chapter 2.)



It is not necessary to believe in God to be a good person.

In some ways this is true...if you are comparing yourself to other people. The Bible says that no one is good except God. Therefore, God is the standard for goodness, not other people. His standard is 100% perfection for 100% of the time. There is no one on earth who meets that standard (Romans 3:23). Furthermore, the goal is not to be a good person; the goal is to be saved by faith in Jesus so that the Holy Spirit can begin the sanctifying work to make you more and more like Christ - which will not happen if you do not believe in God. Why in the world would a Christian want to give unbelievers the notion that it's OK to simply be a "good" person?

"You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!" - James 2:19

"And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone." - Mark 10:18

"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." - Hebrews 11:16

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."- 2 Corinthians 3:18

In a way, the traditional notion of God is outdated.

I don't really know what this means. What is the traditional notion of God and why is it outdated? Certainly, God's opinion of Himself doesn't change. The apostle John said that God is love. Is that a traditional notion of God that is outdated? It is true that the Bible says that God is a consuming fire (Deut. 4:24) - He cannot and will not tolerate sin because He is love. Yet He is merciful and patient and provides us with every opportunity to repent of our sins and to believe the Good News!

“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed." - Malachi 3:6

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." - Hebrews 13:8

"God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?" - Numbers 23:19

"Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." -1 John 4:8

"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9

One can be spiritual but not religious.

I used to spout this all the time before I came to Christ. Honestly, I don't even really know what it means, but at the time it sounded good. It is true that we have a spiritual nature. Those who are in Christ will have the Holy Spirit to guide them; unbelievers do not have the Holy Spirit. When you become a Christian (that is when you repent of your sins and trust in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross), you are born again (John 3:3, 1 Peter 1:23), you are a new creation who becomes a citizen of heaven (2 Corinthians 5:17). You will no longer trust in yourself and your power, but you will live your life by faith in Jesus, the Son of God:

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." - John 14:16-17

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." - James 1:27

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20

Further reading: http://www.gotquestions.org/religion-spirituality.html


It is not necessary to go to church and give money - for many, nature can be a church.

This demonstrates a lack of understanding about what the church is. The church is not a building nor is it nature. The church is the Body of Christ - those believers who have put their faith in the finished work of Christ's perfect sacrifice on the cross. Believers gladly meet together to encourage each other and most importantly, to worship and glorify God together:

"For as in one body we have many members,and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." - Romans 12:4-5

"Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit." -  Ephesians 2:20-22

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25

Some of the best people in history did not believe in God, while some of the worst deeds were done in His name.

Who are these "best people in history"? Name some names. The problem with this statement is the same as the first statement in that it is using other people as the standard for goodness. Additionally, no matter what these "best people" accomplished, they were still dead in their sins if they were not in Christ:

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' " - John 14:6

I agree with the latter part of the statement that horrible things were done in the name of God, but the people who did these things were not of God. The Bible also speaks of these pretenders and deceivers:

"They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God." - John 16:2

"I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive." - Romans 16:17-18

Why do atheists and non-Christians like Pope Francis? Because the pope is speaking their language, which is the language of the world and not of God:

"They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them." - 1 John 4:5

"Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil." - John 7:6-7

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, please test all things using the word of God as the standard not the words of men. May the word of Christ dwell in you richly.

If You Say "I'm Christian, But I'm Not...", Then You're Not

Originally posted on Soak the Beans on 9/15/2015.


This video is a perfect example of what compromise and friendship with the world looks like.

"You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." (James 4:4)

                                                      

                                                                        
This video is full of error and here are some reasons why:

1) If you're a Christian, you better be prepared to talk more about Jesus than yourself. Before you can do that, however, you better familiarize yourself with some of Jesus' words such as these:

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." (John 15:18-19)

2) This is what happens when you rely on your own opinion instead of God's word: you make it all about you. God's word is recorded in the Bible. Because it is God's word, the Bible is the standard by which Christians determine correct doctrine. Our opinions count for nothing. If you disagree with what is written, then either you or God is mistaken. (Hint: It's not God.)

"There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end leads to death."(Proverbs 14:12)

3) It is obvious these young people have no clue about who Jesus is and what he did. Not one time do they quote from Scripture to back up what they say. There is no talk of Jesus taking our sins - in fact, there is no mention of sin at all - upon himself and dying on the cross nor is there talk of his victorious resurrection. There is no mention of the Gospel, which is the entire reason for being a Christian. In other words, these young people have not said anything that would set them apart from unbelievers. They have RELIGION, not a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus. If they do not repent and get to know the real Jesus, they will one day hear these terrifying words of Jesus:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matt 7:21-23)

Friends,  get to know the real Jesus. Get to know what Jesus really said. The Gospel of John is an excellent place to start. If you don't have your own Bible, go to Bible Gateway.

For the record, a Christian is someone who:

• Believes that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. (Matthew 16:16)
• Believes that Jesus is the only way to heaven. (Acts 4:11-12) (John 14:6)
• Has repented of their sins. (Luke 13:4-5) 
• Understands that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and acknowledges that Jesus died on the cross in their place, thereby paying the penalty for their sin. (1 Peter 2:24)
• Believes that Jesus was raised from the dead. (Mark 16:5-8)
• Is a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17) 
• Is being sanctified by God so that they will be like Christ and not be defined by sin. (2 Peter 1:2-4)
• Is nothing without Jesus. (John 15:1-4)
• Knows that they did nothing to earn their salvation - it is the free gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8-9) (John 3:16)
• Gladly preaches the gospel so that others may be saved. (Matthew 28:16-20)