AVOCA — Sometimes we humans are really strange creatures; whether Christian or not, we often exhibit behavior that is quite contradictory to our best interests.
Take for instance our trust in doctors. We are willing to trust doctors with our health. Just take this medication; that drug, these vitamins and if you eat this and that you will be just fine. Should the occasion and need arise for surgeries that we have been told by doctors will fix whatever ails us, we seem to be willing to take their advice and submit to their judgment although though many times doctors are just as clueless about what to do in these situations as we are and next year research may show everything they said (and we believed) wasn’t true.
What is it about us that cause us to trust someone or accept their advice or actions just because they seem to know what they are talking about even though their own lives may be a mess?
We know we are guilty of this; just look at the adulation we pour out on actors. Just think about it for a minute. Here are people who make their living taking upon themselves fictional characters, in essence constantly presenting to the world characters that are lies, yet we hang on their every word, believing whatever cause they support must be right just because (insert your favorite here) thinks it is - regardless of how silly, counterproductive or ungodly it might be. Actors aren’t the only ones we do this with. How many swear by what their favorite sports figure, politician or musician believes?
Think I’m talking nonsense? Who do companies hire to advertise their products? Why do people buy them? Because (insert your favorite here) says they use them and they are the best they’ve ever seen. Ironically, watch long enough you’ll see them on the opposite side saying the one they used to like the most aren’t near as good as the ones they like now and if you’ll do this or buy that, you’ll find out for yourself it’s the best ever.
Sadly, we often view ministers the same way.
Over the years (see 1st Corinthians 1:10-13 for just how long) we’ve seen people hold up this one or that one claiming they are the one that has the best teaching, best understanding of the best way to serve God and buy everything they say without ever checking it out for ourselves.
One consistent thing we can see from this type of blind acceptance, Christian or otherwise, is it always leads to disappointment, disillusionment and, sadly, destruction of families and lives.
The only consistent truth about life can only be found in God’s Word, regardless of what people may think. Some try to change it to fit the type of lifestyle they want to live.
Some try to change it to fit their idea of what God expects and act as though they’ve been given the mandate to educate everyone about it.
The Bible is full of examples of such people. The Bible also carries warnings to those who try to pervert God’s Word to fit their lifestyles or change God’s word no matter how well intentioned they might be.
Revelation 22:18-19: “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book”.
God tells us: “I am the LORD, I change not.”
In Matthew 24:35: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
Paul writes: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”
Since Jesus said: “It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail,” I would say what people think really isn’t very important. What is important is that we are obeying the whole Word of God - not just the parts we like.
Church, Pages 2 on 02/24/2010