I’m seeing a trend where some Christians are replacing the WORD and VOICE of God with popular opinions. They have exalted human reasoning above God’s final word and that is IDOLATRY. I am also seeing a trend where Christians seem to be disregarding what the Word says and are towering their own interpretation and their own fleshly desires above the instructions found in the Bible. And this saddens my heart. The Bible is supposed to dictate what we do and equip us for righteous living. It is not a mere self help book where we get to pick and choose what we want to obey and what we do not. Trust me, I also have A LOT of work to do when it comes to obeying and surrendering, but I have come to a place where I recognize the Lordship and authority of Christ in my life and I have come to understand that regardless of my feelings and opinions, God’s word is final. Because guess what? The earth is His footstool and He is OMNIPOTENT so I need to come correct when it comes to how I view His authority. Even though He’s my Father, He is STILL God. The God of the WHOLE universe.
So honestly, all that it comes back to is this—What does God’s word say?
If the Word says it’s a sin, it’s sin. If the Bible commands it, it requires obedience. God’s word is the FINAL say. So it doesn’t matter if another person can exquisitely explain their opinions that are contrary to the Word or justify their sin or worldly opinions, the Word of God lasts forever and is supreme above ALL other voices.
“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” 1 Corinthians 3:18-19
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Luke 21:33
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” Isaiah 40:8
My opinion against the Word of God doesn’t matter. Your opinion against the Word of God doesn’t matter.
Sometimes with the way we act, it translates as, “God, You didn’t really know what You were doing when You inspired this part of scripture”.
Let us not get comfortable with thinking that we know better than God especially when it comes to things that are already stated in the Bible and written in His word.
Also, just because we don’t like a part of the Bible doesn’t deem it irrelevant or less truthful. Granted, the context and the understanding of the culture of that time has its place in how we interpret some parts, but I think our posture should be “God, I don’t understand this part of scripture OR it’s hard for me to really accept this part of the Bible BUT give me the grace to abide by Your word regardless. Your word says I should not lean on my understanding and that your ways and thoughts are not like mine, so Holy Spirit please replace my human understanding with Heavenly perspective so I can do Your will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
“If you believe what you like in the Gospels, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself.” Saint Augustine
Let’s talk about the pushback against the Word of God a little bit…
It baffles me when I see Christians trying to downplay God’s Word to appease their flesh. It is also mind boggling when some Christians try to change scripture to suit their sinful lifestyle when scripture was written to change us. Newsflash: God isn’t going to rewrite the Bible for our generation. If you read the Word and do not abide or do not listen to the convictions from the Holy Spirit, you are making the CHOICE to reject what you’ve heard or read. God has given us free will, He has given us choice. However, in your bid to do what you want though contrary to God’s word, I think it’s better to say “I know the Word of God says xyz but I don’t want to obey it or abide” rather than trying to downplay or change God’s HOLY Word. It’s better to just admit you want to sin instead of making God out to be a liar. For example, I know that vegetables are good for me, but I love junk food. Whenever I choose junk food, I don’t go out of my way to try to discredit the benefits of vegetables or act like vegetables aren’t best for the body just to justify that I simply want to do what I want to do.
So why do we do that with the Word of God? This must stop. We already know the world will reject the Word of God, so it becomes really disheartening when the children of God who are supposed to love and uphold their Father’s Word start to act like the world and reject it or tweak it to fit their own personal use…insinuating that it is not enough or true.
Phew!
If we change our perspectives and become truthful with ourselves and say, “I want to sin, so I am willingly disregarding the Word of God” I wonder if that will hit differently.
I know that this realization left a bad taste in my mouth and led me to repent and reevaluate my life.
As Christians, our world view should be different: set apart. We must see things differently. The Bible influences culture, not vice versa. The Bible should dictate our lives, not our lives giving new meaning to the Bible.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
CHOOSE LIFE
“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life” Deuteronomy 30:19-20
I’ll end by saying this: we are not called to live a sin conscious life but a grace conscious life. We are not called to be perfect but we are called to obey and be submitted. A relationship with Christ is more than a set of rules. It’s living the abundant life Christ originally planned for us to live. So let us embrace that gift.
I really want us to be a generation who doesn’t think that sinning is okay. Does that mean that the desire to sin or temptations will vanish? No. But it means that we recognize that it is not okay to accept sin and that we get to choose a life surrendered and governed by the spirit. When the enemy tempted Adam and Eve, that was not the sin. The sin happened when they believed the enemy and gave in to the temptation.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
All who fear the LORD will hate evil. Proverbs 8:13a
“For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13
If you lack conviction, it is evident that you are not in communion with the Spirit of God and that you are being governed by your flesh. But all hope is not lost, because you can always return to God and you can cry out to Him (Abba) to help you. So if you are far away from God, come back home because He is waiting for you. In fact, He may be tugging at your heart and all you have to do is let Him in. Check out my IG post where I share the deeper revelation I got concerning the Prodigal Son story.
Love you and be blessed.