“Everyone has an opinion about something,” is a familiar saying. It also seems to reflect how we as a society feel. You can’t escape public opinion polls, whether you watch television, listen to the radio, or read the paper. If you use the Internet, there are services that constantly bombard your email account, asking your opinion on this issue or that product. Even politicians are influenced by the opinions of others, and policy is often determined by what those opinions are.
Opinion, however, shouldn’t be equated with truth. In our pluralistic society, many, in favor of tolerance, have rejected objective truth. Everyone’s opinion is to have equal weight and validity. While there are times when one’s opinion should be considered in making decisions, there are times when they must not. The truth of Scripture, for example, will remain true, no matter what popular opinion may be. The religious world, by and large, has rejected the teaching of Scripture about baptism for the forgiveness of sin (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21). This doesn’t change the will of God. Others claim it doesn’t matter what type of music we use in worshipping God, while Scripture only speaks of singing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Many reject the reality of eternal punishment for the wicked, even though Jesus spoke clearly about it (John 3:36; Matthew 25:46).
What do we do with Scripture? We can ignore it on these and other issues, or even reject it, but that doesn’t change what God has revealed. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion” we hear, but our opinions must conform to the word of God, if we hope for eternal life. "He who rejects Me and does not receive My words, has that which judges him - the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Of course, putting aside our personal opinions to allow God’s will its place in our lives is the greatest expression of love. “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
Opinions, by definition, often are not based on absolute certainty or positive knowledge, but what seems probable to one’s own mind. We don’t always have all the facts, but God does, and He reveals His complete and perfect will to us in His word. When I yield my opinion to His will, I reflect Him at work in me (Galatians 2:20). We can speak and live confidently about today and eternity, not because it’s our opinion, but because we have the authority of God in His word to guide us. In the final analysis, His will, not my opinion, is what will matter.
Robert Johnson
Bible
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Does It Really Matter?
While watching one of the religious channels on TV some time ago, an interesting observation was made by a denominational teacher. The question was raised about people leaving his particular religious affiliation, and the teacher was asked his thoughts about it. “When I think of people leaving because the church down the street has a choir that rocks, or a preacher who can elicit an emotional response from them, or a youth program that appeals to their children, it just breaks my heart because of what they’re losing.”
How can this be? Hasn’t society concluded what really matters is sincerity, that as long as you’re sincere, it doesn’t matter what you believe? Haven’t diverse religious groups (including the one on this TV program) recently signed joint statements of fellowship with each other? Haven’t preachers from different religions exchanged pulpits to show doctrine doesn’t really matter anymore? In an age of tolerance, why would someone make such a seemingly intolerant statement?
Could it be that, despite all the protests to the contrary, doctrine still does matter? Of course it does! Subjectivity is fine as long as it’s philosophic, not practical with people leaving one group for another. Under these circumstances, it becomes an entirely different matter. No matter what the current theological buzz may be, people still want to feel they’re right. If doctrine didn’t matter, why would all these different denominations still exist? Instead of signing fellowship agreements, why wouldn’t they just merge into one big spiritually nebulous organization, which would accept anything and everything?
Interesting enough, those groups that do accept anything and everything experience an immediate drop in membership. To accept everything is the same as standing for nothing, and people still understand the need for some absolutes in their lives. Of course, Scripture affirms that right doctrine is essential for right living. Paul exhorted Timothy, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:16). To Titus he wrote, “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). Jesus Himself said, "My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me” (John 7:16).
Obviously, people still think it matters what you believe. And they’re right, because truth does matter. If we allow Scripture exclusive rights to our lives spiritually, we will chart a course that will lead to eternal life. "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32).
Robert Johnson
How can this be? Hasn’t society concluded what really matters is sincerity, that as long as you’re sincere, it doesn’t matter what you believe? Haven’t diverse religious groups (including the one on this TV program) recently signed joint statements of fellowship with each other? Haven’t preachers from different religions exchanged pulpits to show doctrine doesn’t really matter anymore? In an age of tolerance, why would someone make such a seemingly intolerant statement?
Could it be that, despite all the protests to the contrary, doctrine still does matter? Of course it does! Subjectivity is fine as long as it’s philosophic, not practical with people leaving one group for another. Under these circumstances, it becomes an entirely different matter. No matter what the current theological buzz may be, people still want to feel they’re right. If doctrine didn’t matter, why would all these different denominations still exist? Instead of signing fellowship agreements, why wouldn’t they just merge into one big spiritually nebulous organization, which would accept anything and everything?
Interesting enough, those groups that do accept anything and everything experience an immediate drop in membership. To accept everything is the same as standing for nothing, and people still understand the need for some absolutes in their lives. Of course, Scripture affirms that right doctrine is essential for right living. Paul exhorted Timothy, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:16). To Titus he wrote, “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). Jesus Himself said, "My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me” (John 7:16).
Obviously, people still think it matters what you believe. And they’re right, because truth does matter. If we allow Scripture exclusive rights to our lives spiritually, we will chart a course that will lead to eternal life. "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32).
Robert Johnson
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
God's Grace
"For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 4).
Jude wrote his letter, in part, to point out certain false teachers who were using the concept of God’s grace to promote sensuality. The term carries the idea of lust, excess, shamelessness, and insolence. Evidently they promoted the idea that God’s grace would cover such sins, and so committing them was acceptable, or at least allowable. Such is a perversion of the concept of grace, and by advocating such a view, they deny Christ, who died that our sins could be forgiven, and whose gospel of grace is a call to purity (1 Tim. 4:12).
Peter also speaks of such teachers. “They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved” (2 Pet. 2:19). How horrible it is to think these individuals distort the truth of the gospel for the sake of gratifying their desires. What judgment awaits them? Jude says they are designated for condemnation, and Peter also says, “And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep” (2 Pet. 2:3).
I am a firm believer in God’s grace, because without it, there’s no hope for anyone to be saved. We are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8). However, we must not add to nor take from what Scripture teaches. God’s grace is always available, at work through the blood of Christ as we walk in the light (1 John 1:7). But what about deliberate, unrepented sins? What about when we know what we’re doing is wrong, but we do it anyway? John earlier said we must confess our sins for forgiveness and cleansing to take place (1 John 1:9). Simon the magician was so exhorted by Peter (Acts 8:22). And Paul warned the Galatians, that to add the Law of Moses to the gospel would cause them to fall from grace (Gal. 5:4).
The point of this all is we can be guilty of turning grace into sensuality when we want to appeal to it to justify continual sin. I have lost count of those who, when confronted with active sin in their life, appeal to grace as permission to sin. The phrase, “I’m just going to rely on God’s grace,” is a false hope. There is a difference in trying to overcome sin, struggling against it, falling at times but repenting and continuing the fight of faith, than condoning sin because of grace. The words of Paul are a strong reminder of this difference. “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Rom. 6:1-2).
Certainly none of us are perfect, and that’s not what I’m trying to say. We must constantly examine our hearts, our motives, and make every effort to align them with the will of God. But if we persist in sin, to say “I’m relying on the grace of God” is precarious spiritually. Perhaps the false teaching of many in the religious world has had an impact on the body of Christ. Perhaps the spirit of the age, the concept of God allowing just about anything and turning a blind eye to it all, is part of it, but it’s a delusion. Don’t want to worship God? No problem, grace will cover it. Want to be rich towards self, but not toward God? There’s grace. Have time to do whatever you want, but not to serve God? Grace will take care of it. Living in a sinful lifestyle, but don’t want to stop? Ah yes, don’t worry, we have grace.
Of course, I’m being facetious. But it does have an all too familiar sound, doesn’t it? Are you willing to deny Christ by taking such a view? Are you willing to exchange your soul for it? We will be judged according to God’s word and our deeds (John 12:48; 2 Cor. 5:10). Thank God for His grace, but don’t trust in grace to exonerate a deliberate sinful life. Remember what grace teaches (Titus 2:11-12).
Robert Johnson
Jude wrote his letter, in part, to point out certain false teachers who were using the concept of God’s grace to promote sensuality. The term carries the idea of lust, excess, shamelessness, and insolence. Evidently they promoted the idea that God’s grace would cover such sins, and so committing them was acceptable, or at least allowable. Such is a perversion of the concept of grace, and by advocating such a view, they deny Christ, who died that our sins could be forgiven, and whose gospel of grace is a call to purity (1 Tim. 4:12).
Peter also speaks of such teachers. “They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved” (2 Pet. 2:19). How horrible it is to think these individuals distort the truth of the gospel for the sake of gratifying their desires. What judgment awaits them? Jude says they are designated for condemnation, and Peter also says, “And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep” (2 Pet. 2:3).
I am a firm believer in God’s grace, because without it, there’s no hope for anyone to be saved. We are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8). However, we must not add to nor take from what Scripture teaches. God’s grace is always available, at work through the blood of Christ as we walk in the light (1 John 1:7). But what about deliberate, unrepented sins? What about when we know what we’re doing is wrong, but we do it anyway? John earlier said we must confess our sins for forgiveness and cleansing to take place (1 John 1:9). Simon the magician was so exhorted by Peter (Acts 8:22). And Paul warned the Galatians, that to add the Law of Moses to the gospel would cause them to fall from grace (Gal. 5:4).
The point of this all is we can be guilty of turning grace into sensuality when we want to appeal to it to justify continual sin. I have lost count of those who, when confronted with active sin in their life, appeal to grace as permission to sin. The phrase, “I’m just going to rely on God’s grace,” is a false hope. There is a difference in trying to overcome sin, struggling against it, falling at times but repenting and continuing the fight of faith, than condoning sin because of grace. The words of Paul are a strong reminder of this difference. “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Rom. 6:1-2).
Certainly none of us are perfect, and that’s not what I’m trying to say. We must constantly examine our hearts, our motives, and make every effort to align them with the will of God. But if we persist in sin, to say “I’m relying on the grace of God” is precarious spiritually. Perhaps the false teaching of many in the religious world has had an impact on the body of Christ. Perhaps the spirit of the age, the concept of God allowing just about anything and turning a blind eye to it all, is part of it, but it’s a delusion. Don’t want to worship God? No problem, grace will cover it. Want to be rich towards self, but not toward God? There’s grace. Have time to do whatever you want, but not to serve God? Grace will take care of it. Living in a sinful lifestyle, but don’t want to stop? Ah yes, don’t worry, we have grace.
Of course, I’m being facetious. But it does have an all too familiar sound, doesn’t it? Are you willing to deny Christ by taking such a view? Are you willing to exchange your soul for it? We will be judged according to God’s word and our deeds (John 12:48; 2 Cor. 5:10). Thank God for His grace, but don’t trust in grace to exonerate a deliberate sinful life. Remember what grace teaches (Titus 2:11-12).
Robert Johnson
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