Where
are we missing the mark?
I have been doing some studying lately on a particular
doctrine and have come across some amazing truths that some folks just do not
want to believe. The question came to
mind, “What will happen to those who have accepted Christ, properly, yet do not
live their lives based upon the proper doctrine?”
I know of a man who decided to build a deck using rocks as the main support for the four-by-four posts which would hold the deck off of the ground. This is something he would do quite often because that is the way he was taught to build. Today, that deck is falling to pieces; it is uneven, and unsafe for anyone to walk across. He was building based upon the knowledge that he had. Yet, if an inspector came along to inspect the work, he would not pass the deck when it was originally constructed. If the builder really believes that he built the deck properly, does that mean the inspector will accept the work he is shown? Absolutely not! Neither how vehemently the builder feels about the work, nor how strong his convictions are about the deck; his work will not pass inspection. However, had the builder built the deck using the proper foundation and the proper building materials, then his work would be accepted by the inspector?
What if the same builder built a deck using the proper foundation, but he used pipe cleaners to build the deck. Would the work be accepted by the inspector? Absolutely not! Once again, the strong feelings, or the strong convictions do not make the work acceptable.
In Act 18:24-28, we read of a certain Jew, whose name is
Apollos. This man was eloquent and
mighty in the scriptures. He was
instructed in the way of the Lord and was fervent in the spirit. This man spake and taught diligently. Is this certain Jew passionate about what he
is teaching? Does he feel as though he
has gotten everything he needs to understand God’s word? The answer, of course, is yes! Yet we find out that there is much he needs
to know.
“And a certain Jew
named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the
scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord;
and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of
the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the
synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them,
and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. And when he was disposed
to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive
him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: For
he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures
that Jesus was Christ.” KJV
Aquila and Priscilla, hears this man speaking boldly in the
synagogue. Yet, they know something that
he does not know. Their response is to take
that man aside and expound unto him the way of God, more perfectly. They had some information that would change
the way this man thinks. Do you think he
told them that he had an experience that only he could understand and that he
just knows he is right? I am sure he
did.
This is what is going on in many churches today. Some people have the wrong foundation while
others have the proper foundation. Some
of those who have the proper foundation, which is Christ, are building with the
wrong material. Therefore, the inspector
will not approve your work. Once again,
it does not matter how much you think you are building correctly, or how sure
you are using the proper materials. If
you are not using the proper material, it will not be accepted.
Of course, this automatically brings to mind 1st Corinthians 3:9-15.
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” KJV
Paul
makes a statement that we must make mention of, “…I have laid the foundation…which
is Jesus Christ…”.
Questions
– Has anyone in scripture ever preached about Jesus Christ? Absolutely!
How can Paul make such a bold statement?
There is something in this message, given to Paul, which is unique to
him and him alone. How are we then built
up? By the gospel revealed to the
Apostle Paul.
Colossians
2:6-10 states:
You
received Christ by trusting God’s word by faith. You believed the verses where it says you are
saved by grace through faith. You agreed
with God when He said you are saved by trusting that Jesus Christ died for your
sins, was buried, and rose the third day.
(Romans 10:17; Ephesians 2:8, 9; I Corinthians 15:1-4) That is how you are to walk in Him. You trust the words on the pages of scripture;
rightly dividing the word of truth. Your
faith should not be found in any other books.
Your faith should not be blindly trusting in an experience. Your faith
should not be found in some ceremony. Your faith should solely rest in the word
of God to you. Build, with the proper
materials, upon the only foundation.
This foundation is Jesus Christ. The building material is found in the books of Romans through Philemon.
Grace and Peace,
Greg Resor
Complete in Him
Complete in Him
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