…so that they are without excuse…(Romans 1:20)
It seems more and more these days that people, even those who claim to be believers in Christ, try and explain away the parts of the Bible they find uncomfortable, embarrassing, or offensive to their tastes, or to the perceived tastes of those whom they are trying to “witness” to. Our world is reaching a critical mass of depravity; the human condition is not improving, even though social situations may, and all the technological advancements cannot change the evil inclinations of men. The more we seem to progress in knowledge, the more we regress in morals. The further forward we come into our knowledge of the universe, the further away we get from the One who created it. We are becoming more and more futuristic in our inventions and yet more and more futile in our imaginations.
As Christians we have fallen into the world’s trap. Instead of hanging on to the revelation of God in Jesus Christ as our firm foundation, and the revelation that the Scriptures provide us, we spend our days cutting the legs out from under the table of grace. We say we love God but we won’t suffer the loss of prestige, position, popularity, or personal well being for His sake.
Critical scholars, cowardly saints, craven shepherds, and compromising speakers try and make excuses for the Bible and what it says as if we are embarrassed by its often hard implications, but we are to be proclaiming, not disclaiming the Word of God.
Whether it is the idea of the supposed noble savage, or the authority of the Bible, we can choose the way of uncomfortable waffling or uncompromising witness.
You know what I am talking about…you have seen the progression, or should we say declension, in the witness of people who do not treat the Bible as the true Word of God…
Well, that’s what it says, but perhaps…
Jesus didn’t actually say that…
Jesus didn’t actually mean that…
Jesus didn’t actually do that…
Is Jesus the only way? Well, technically yes, but…
We hold the love of God to be inclusive of people that may reject Christ…
Friends of God, I tell you now, it’s not so far away, and indeed, the spirit of antichrist is already at work in the world…
The fine print on these peoples’ disclaimers will read as their sorry epitaph…
7 comments:
What's your excuse?
Wow...you're fiery today!
Thanks, just been reading up on some Ben Witherington about critical scholarship, some stuff over at Jonathan Morehead's about Billy Graham, and topped it all off with a little Tozer, don't ya know...
Had to get my "fundy" on.
Anyway, I really did feel like you might come over and hammer this post, so thanks again for holding off at first. Do feel free to go at it a bit, however.
Really what I am speaking to is those whom try and make the Bible say whatever they feel is the need of the hour. Too many people seem to be hesitating on their clear witnessing when they have a chance to proclaim the name of Christ, His glory and greatness. And yeah, it fires me up...
You go JD! Great points to remember when witnessing. I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL!!!
Great point.
I touched on this with the following post....
Revelation or Imagination
Craven shepherds oughtta be craving, replacing cowardice with a burning passion for the Lord, His Word, His people, etc.
"prestige, position, popularity, or personal well being..." (I'm glad I wasn't sitting in the front row.)
Thanks for being a proclaimer, Friend.
Yeah, at the church I preach as pastor to, there is quite a bit of "spit room" up front, and no one but my wife sits on the front row, center (ha ha)!
Thanks for stopping by, and see you soon, I hope...
Post a Comment