God's Word

It's been quite a while since I've had anything I desired to write about, but THIS is the best quote I've heard in a long time, and I'm compelled to comment.

"Our object should not be to have Scripture on our side but to be on the side of Scripture; and however dear any sentiment may have become by being long entertained, so soon as it is seen to be contrary to the Bible, we must be prepared to abandon it without hesitation." - William Symington

I'd never heard of  William Symington before today and don't know much about him, but he's spot on with this one.  It's of interest to me because just in this year I have encountered more professing Christians who, in one way or another, have proven to be more than a little antagonistic toward the Word of God.  On several occasions I found myself in either a Facebook, email or personal conversation regarding some spiritual issue, and the more I contended for the faith, the more I tried to draw them back to the Bible, the more I was met with resistance and a stubborn refusal to bend to what God has said.

I've been continually dumbfounded by this kind of "MY-opinion-is-what-matters" belief system coming from, as I said, professing Christians - those who claim to love Christ.  In pondering it, though, I've come to be less dumbfounded and more incensed - in what I pray would be a righteous anger.  Because the FACT is - redeemed believers do not despise the Word of God, nor do they hold in in contempt.  They do not undervalue it or dimiss it in favor of their own thoughts and their own opinions.  One cannot love God yet hate His word.  This is an impossibility for one who is truly in Christ.  So I'm left with the conclusion that some of these folk are not in Christ, as they so declare. 

In the power of the Holy Spirit, we as people of the faith, are to forsake our sinful opinions, renounce our way of doing things, and live by the very words of life that God was so gracious to provide.  Notice I said 'in the power of the Holy Spirit,' for surely there is no other way it can be done.  The Scriptures are completely contrary to our natures. Nonetheless, God calls His people to be holy as He is holy.  Thankfully, though, He provided the Holy Spirit and He that began the work will be faithful to complete it.

As Paul called upon the Corinthians to do, so I urge you to do - examine yourselves to see if you are indeed in the faith.  What is your reaction to the Scriptures and also to those who appeal to them?  Do you bristle at their use?  Do you have any desire to conform to what God requires of you?  Is your mind being transformed by them?  Just some things for us all to consider.  May God have mercy.