Compelled to speak the truth in a needy world

Christians, as we go about our daily walk there are times, if we are not careful, when our thoughts seem to go in directions that we don’t want.

That’s why I like Philippians 4:8, “finally brethren, whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, loving, of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these sayings.”

I think that is why we have so many unscriptural teachings. People don’t take this Scripture to heart and they come up with worldly unscriptural theology that leads them astray and others who listen to them.

I feel compelled to speak the truth. Of course, the truth is the word of God. There is so much faulty teaching out there one has to bring the truth forward in this area. Although I have to admit, I would rather tell what Jesus has done for us, is doing now and proclaim his blessings, but there is so much out there to lead people astray, I really feel compelled to speak up. The more unscriptural, the more misleading the faulty teachings are, the more we must speak up.

The Bible is the word of God. Holy men of God were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write God’s word. Christians should not question the authenticity of God’s word. The Bible says without faith it is impossible to please God. Don’t rob yourself of faith to believe God’s word, don’t even listen to people with no faith to believe the Bible. I have personally made a mental note of people I have heard who don’t have faith to believe parts of the Bible, and over a period of time they believe less and less of God’s word. We need to hold on to the word of God; don’t be persuaded to give up even a little of his word.

That reminds me of the story a minister tells about a young girl who went to church and every time she heard the pastor say “that’s not for us today,” she would tear that page out of her Bible. One day she was leaving church, the pastor was at the door to shake everyone’s hand. When he got to her he noticed her Bible was thin and he made mention of it. She told him every time he said it wasn’t for us today she would tear out that page, then she told him, “soon all I will have left is the covers, then I’m fixing to throw it out.”

As Christians we need to stand fast in the teachings in God’s word. We cannot be persuaded by those who teach a faulty doctrine. They have their eyes on the world and its theology. Theology today wants to say Jesus was just a great prophet 2,000 years ago, which he was. But he is the son of God, the deity of God, who sits at the right hand of the Father and makes intercession for us.

Jesus’ commandment in John 15:12 says, ‘’this is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you.’’

We are to love our enemies, but God does not say to love their sin. The word of God says there’s only one way to the father and that is through the son. The world doesn’t like to hear that. They talk about walking in love toward everybody. Yes, as Christians we are to walk in love toward everybody.

Theology apart from God’s word though cannot cause us to compromise God’s word. To tell people there’s only one way to the father, which is in heaven, is to make Jesus Christ their Savior is God’s perfect will for every person. To be told that we are not walking in love toward our fellow man if we say this, now that is unbelief in God’s word. To tell somebody how he or she can receive eternal life is the ultimate in our love walk. Jesus said go and that’s what we must do. It is our commission on earth as children of God. We are the light of the world because of Jesus.

Second Corinthians 5:20 says we are ambassadors for Christ. Wow, that means we are his representatives. I saw a lady on TV, her lapel label said such and such ambassador; well, Christians, we are “Jesus’ Ambassador.” Could you wear a label on your shirt that said “Jesus’ Ambassador” and uphold the truth that we see in God’s word 24 hours a day? When Jesus went into the outer court of the temple and saw the wrong that was being done, he was not quiet, passive or agreeable. He took his stand against what was not right and drove those guilty ones out of the outer court. Yes, as Christians we are to walk in love. I always remember that one Bible teacher said love is not always passive. In other words, sometimes in love we have to speak up.

We are fast approaching that time when Christ is coming to take out (rapture) the church. The body of Christ and as Jesus’ ambassadors, we need to tell as many as we can of Jesus’ saving grace and stand strong in his truth, the Bible.

Lavon Barve works with Cup of Life Ministry in Wasilla.

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