FROM THE PASTOR
September 10, 2017
One must be oblivious to the world not to notice the increasingly obnoxious and meanness raising of its ugly head everywhere. A meanness that transcends, political affiliation, gender, race or nationality. Daily the evidence screams out that society no longer can disagree with civility. Yes, there are areas where there can never be compromise because, contrary to what some argue, there is such a thing as good and evil. Those are areas where a total change of heart is required for compromise to take place. Either the world must change to realize the need to recognize the authority of God’s Word or, God forbid, the Christian must change to ignore the authority of God’s Word.
I listened to a professor this week on the Tucker Carlson Show state that there can never be fruitful dialog when one party believes that, “there is only one final authority such as the Bible”. My first thought was, ‘WOW’, there can never be dialog that has a chance to become fruitful if one ignores the only final authority, the Word of God. The world should never expect a faithful Christian to compromise on God’s Word. Yet it does, because too many Christians do. Fellow Christians, understand this, for a Christian to ignore the authority of God’s Word or debate a position absent that final authority, is like a soldier going into a nuclear war without a defense. Loss is inevitable.
This must have been the week God was impressing this on me because I was reminded a 2nd time of this on Facebook. I am a member of several fishing groups because I enjoy seeing where other fisherman fish, what is successful for them and the techniques they use. Just like any organization, there are multiple personalities involved. Some quietly enjoying the news while other seem to possess an irresistible need to belittle others with hateful comments. When this occurs, conflict is inevitable.
This week the comments became so mean that the administrator of one of the groups sent out a video message stating that if it didn’t cease, he would begin to block some members from participating. This young man is a Christian, I know this because occasionally he shares his faith with the group, so I know where his heart is on the matter. No organization (or church) is exempt. How we respond to those around us whether it’s simply an opinion or an honest assessment is a direct reflection of who we really are in Christ.
I recall saying to someone in Sunday School a few months ago, “That half the time I don’t agree with myself”. Yes, it was said as hyperbole but the point was, we are not all always going to see things the same. But, as Christians, we must always respond to one another in a Christ-like manner under the authority of God’s Word.
Romans 12:3 (NASB)
3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.
May God receive the glory as we encourage other.
Hebrews 3:13 (NASB)
13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Thank You for your faithfulness! Pastor Larry
