What a predicament we have before us in today's Christian circles. Scores of individuals call themselves believers, most attending church every week, but are unable to explain to anyone the hope that they have within them with Scripture. Yes, many may be able to recount the time they rose their hand in church, or the time they repeated a prayer after a minister, but when it comes to rightly dividing the word of truth, they are helpless. This is not only sad, but dangerous. I will express two reasons we find Christians that are inept in their understanding and ability to explain Scripture.
II Timothy 4:2 says, "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." The first reason most believers lack Scriptural understanding is their teachers. Instead of using God's Word as the foundation for ever teaching, it has been replaced with stories, neat anecdotes, and jokes. While the congregation leaves feeling entertained, they are unknowingly empty and ill-equipped. Churches have turned into the very thing that Paul warned of in II Timothy 4. The congregants won't endure sound doctrine, preferring rather to hear messages that make them feel good and amuse them. Such shepherding only leads to stupid sheep, walking about aimlessly, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine.(Eph. 4:14) We have famine in most churches. Amos 8:11 says, "Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord GOD, "That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD." Ministers, shepherds, elders, bishops preach the Word. Saturate every breath from the pulpit with Scripture. God desires it and your sheep need it.
II Timothy 2:15(KJV) says, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." The second cause of Scriptural ineptness falls squarely upon the believer's shoulders. Those who once sought, seek no longer. Those who signed up for the class choose not to do the assignments, thus disqualifying themselves. The more I meet "believers" the more I am amazed at how little they actually know about what they say they believe. And it’s not because they are new in the race, they've been on the sidelines for many years, but have no desire to get in the game. There is no hunger for the Word, there is no drive to seek out truth. Proverbs 8:17 says, "I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me." Be not content with where you are. Study the Word. Seek the Lord while He may be found.
To close, I want to express the extreme importance of studying and knowing Scripture. Those that are uneducated in God's Word and choose not the change that are susceptible and probably have already succumbed to deception. Allow God's Word to begin to shine light in the areas of darkness. May truth reside in your heart. You shall know the truth and the truth will make you free. John 8:32
No comments:
Post a Comment