Three Truths Contrary to God’s Truth
Black Friday. It always draws me. I enjoy shopping and love a good sale but for a number of reasons, I didn’t rise at the crack of dawn to go bargain hunting yesterday. Before you congratulate me for not giving in to the enticing ads like
50% off TODAY ONLY.
SALE OF THE CENTURY.
BARGAINS GALORE,
I found there’s a way to get around “physically” trekking to the stores. It’s called “on-line shopping.” So yesterday I surfed the web and found a few great deals in an attempt to satisfy my thirst for something cute… for less.
But today the shopping thrill is already gone. The advertisers fishing line has snapped and I am out of cash; swimming to and fro wondering what to do.
Maybe you are feeling the same way.
I have found that happiness is not wrapped up in material possessions and what advertisers tell us is not necessarily the truth. However, we often want to justify our behavior and desire to hear only the truth that feeds the sinfulness inside of us. In my case, I wanted to shop even though I have plenty of clothes in the closet. That leads to the First Truth Contrary to God’s Truth:
#1 Truth is not always what we want to hear.
This is an age-old problem. Even during ancient days, God’s chosen ones did not want to hear the truth. Through the prophet Isaiah, The Lord nailed the rebellious Israelites when he said, “They say to the seers, ‘See no more visions’ and to the prophets, ‘Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!”
The Holy One of Israel still confronts us but rather than embrace the truth, we often run the opposite direction.
What is troubling in these uncertain times is that many of our church leaders are allowing society to dictate the truths they preach. I am watching our congregations avoid taking a stand in order to appease people. I see them becoming like the Laodicean church spoken about in Revelation, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16).
Wishy-washy is distasteful to God. When I’m in church, I want a bowlful of truth rather than a helping of mush. What about you?
It is my understanding that some churches want to throw out the writings of Paul because they are making a case they are uninspired by God. Paul has some controversial things to say so society wants to banish him. But didn’t Paul say, “I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preach is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:12). We either believe Paul or not.
Are we discarding the work of our forefathers, who through many council meetings, laboriously determined which Scriptures should be included in the Biblical Canon? Doesn’t the word also say “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). Does this apply to Paul’s teachings? I don’t know but I don’t want to challenge God to find out.
Today we all need to ask ourselves, “Do I want to hear words that will justify my own way, or do I want to be showered with God’s truth?” We have free will so the decision is ours to make.
On Tuesday, we’ll examine the second truth contrary to God’s truth.