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 In
this part of the country there are thousands of sincere religious folk
who stoutly affirm that one must “follow Jesus,” “go by the Bible,”
or “worship scripturally”—who then cancel out all they have
said. They are not hypocrites, they are not trying to deceive
anyone. Unwittingly they have deceived themselves, but it is not easy to
convince them of this for the deception is inherent in their social and
religious background. Feelings, emotions, and even superstitions have
become so prominent in their way of thinking that it is very difficult
for them to be objective.
On
several occasions I have heard someone say, “Just follow Jesus, and
all will be well!” And I ask, “Where?” “How?” “What does
Jesus want of me?” It soon becomes apparent that they know very little
of what Jesus teaches— had scarcely realized this is so essential to
“follow Jesus.” Their statement becomes an empty slogan.
It
is standard procedure for most sects and cults to claim that they “go
by the Bible,” when actually they “go by their experience” or
feelings. Moving “testimonials” can be documented for everything
from the most “fundamental” (?) snake-handler in east Tennessee, to
“Christian Science” (?) in Boston— and prove nothing of God. The
man who tells you his “experience” and expects you to see by it that
he has a direct line to heaven, will reject the same sort of testimony
which you may offer for something contrary to his doctrine. Surely
thinking folk can see something is amiss. “But I know how I
feel,” he insists. Certainly you do— you just do not know that
God made you
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feel that way. God’s will is revealed in the
completed Scriptures. (2 Tim. 3:15-17; 2 Pet. 3:15-16;1:3 Jn.
16:12-13)
In
our country the people I am writing about do not have to be
convinced the Bible is from God. Many of them believe it is
complete, and “our service to God must be scriptural.” But they
cancel this with a reservation, felt if not uttered. It must be “spiritually
discerned.” They will tell you they mean the Holy Spirit,
but they mean “as He discerns” it for them, not
necessarily as you read it, nor even as Paul or Peter wrote it. This
boils down to “spiritually discerned” by their own
spirit. If any scripture is cited for this concept of interpretation
it is 1 Cor. 2:14. They agree the “natural man” trusts “the
wisdom of this world” but fail to see that the opposite in context
are the inspired apostles and prophets by whom God’s will was
revealed. When we hear and accept what Paul wrote — because of the
divine source of his information, then our faith is in the
power of God rather than in our own wisdom. (Vs. 1-5, Eph. 3:l-5)
God has already seen to it that the message is understandable (Eph.
3:4).
And
the old dodge “it doesn’t say not” to do so and so,
denies the completeness of the Bible. When you send your child to
the store for crackers and cheese do you have to add, “Now don’t
get flour, beans, milk, — and name all the other items there?? No,
you consider your order complete when you say what to do. And
so does God!!
Don’t
cancel heaven’s invitation!!
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