Why Believe?
As I sit here this morning contemplating the Gospel, I have found myself wondering why we believe? I would submit to you that the main reason that we believe is because the Lord has revealed Himself and the Gospel to us in the Bible. John tells us that we love Him because He first loved us (1John 4:19) and His revealing Himself to us in the Bible was the second greatest act of love for us, the first being His sacrificial death on the cross. I say that because though He died on the cross, if we never knew about it (through our knowledge of the Gospel or the Bible) then it would be very difficult to adopt a belief in it. It is for that reason that the authority of God’s Word is imperative for our faith. But let me ask again, why believe? Is it because it is in the Bible? For me, I can say yes. I believe the Gospel because it is in God’s Word and though it has been confirmed in many other ways, His Word is enough.
Many of you know that last week a couple of pastor’s sued our Governor because they felt that they should be able to open churches in spite of his order, and that his order was unconstitutional. Upon becoming aware of this, it broke my heart to see such a poor testimony by spiritual leaders of God’s people. Why? Because the same Bible that offers me hope in the gospel and eternal life, has commanded me to submit to the authorities that God has allowed to be over me (Romans 13) , and has also told me not to sue a brother (1 Corinthians 6:1-20). Even though I understand and agree with their position…I mean, many places that have been opened as essential businesses were not essential and if you had been to Lowe’s or anywhere else that was open, the social distancing practices were not very well practiced. Hence, if people can go shopping, why can’t they go to church? I get the argument, but highly disagree with the action. I mean, look…I want to go back to church as much as anyone, but we must and will do it safely and in consideration of the governor’s recommendations.
Recently I bumped into a believer that discussed the whole issue with regarding the churches suing. This particular person seemed to think it is ok for the church to take a stance against our countries leaders if they are wrong. Again, I disagree. And listen, biblically speaking, our nations leaders seldom make decisions in line with scripture and if they do it is usually not intentional. Still we submit to them because God commands us to in scripture.
If I am going to affirm and claim the authority of the Bible and particularly the Gospel in my life, how can I dismiss the many other things that the Bible commands me to do? Do I not have a responsibility to employ everything the bible says as a standard for my Christian living, or does God offer me the freedom to pick and choose what I want to believe? The answer is…everything in the Bible applies with authority to how we are called to walk with God, and we must do everything we can to abide by it all, always.
At the Feet of Jesus,
Pastor Jeff
Many of you know that last week a couple of pastor’s sued our Governor because they felt that they should be able to open churches in spite of his order, and that his order was unconstitutional. Upon becoming aware of this, it broke my heart to see such a poor testimony by spiritual leaders of God’s people. Why? Because the same Bible that offers me hope in the gospel and eternal life, has commanded me to submit to the authorities that God has allowed to be over me (Romans 13) , and has also told me not to sue a brother (1 Corinthians 6:1-20). Even though I understand and agree with their position…I mean, many places that have been opened as essential businesses were not essential and if you had been to Lowe’s or anywhere else that was open, the social distancing practices were not very well practiced. Hence, if people can go shopping, why can’t they go to church? I get the argument, but highly disagree with the action. I mean, look…I want to go back to church as much as anyone, but we must and will do it safely and in consideration of the governor’s recommendations.
Recently I bumped into a believer that discussed the whole issue with regarding the churches suing. This particular person seemed to think it is ok for the church to take a stance against our countries leaders if they are wrong. Again, I disagree. And listen, biblically speaking, our nations leaders seldom make decisions in line with scripture and if they do it is usually not intentional. Still we submit to them because God commands us to in scripture.
If I am going to affirm and claim the authority of the Bible and particularly the Gospel in my life, how can I dismiss the many other things that the Bible commands me to do? Do I not have a responsibility to employ everything the bible says as a standard for my Christian living, or does God offer me the freedom to pick and choose what I want to believe? The answer is…everything in the Bible applies with authority to how we are called to walk with God, and we must do everything we can to abide by it all, always.
At the Feet of Jesus,
Pastor Jeff
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